I appreciate your input Tommy. When I surpassed the followers threshold and had the opportunity to go paywall/non-paywall I thought about it quite a bit, ultimately deciding that, at least to me, my words and thoughts are worth something. I don't know if you know how much or how little people get paid on Medium, but the amount of money I've gotten here writing this drivel (as you call it) is enough to buy myself a lunch out with a Dr. Pepper every once in a while. I appreciate the opportunity that Medium and other sites like this provide writers and other creatives, and wish you all the best.