Well, if I understand the clapping system correctly — heaven only knows, Harper Thorpe — the number of claps gives the algorithm an understanding of how important the article is and/or the writer is. And since there’s apparently some sort of $$ system built in as well, I gather the number is important to Medium.

That said, it’s important to us as writers! If someone praises something I’ve written and claps five or six … I just have to wonder. It’s not like our clapping costs US anything, except four or five more seconds. And maybe not everything is worth 50, but between friends? Why the heck not? I don’t live for the claps — notice the plural there, my friend — but. It is a measure that Medium has instituted.

I belong to an LI group, and we routinely give each other 50 out of friendship and appreciation for the article. We just do. We figure that helps us all out with others who clap maybe five times.

OK, rant over. I don’t know about you, but I’m remiss in my reading. I thought I was semi-retired, but I’m busier than ever with four (!) BODs, one an international one. And my writing. And my reading. And my need to maybe NOT do anything for a couple/three hours.

Have a great night, Harper.