The 2020s is a versatile decade. Not all is bad.

Some things on Medium I never do and will never do. One day I will make $33.2K from a single story and in that month my Medium earnings will be $69.1K. But you will never see a story from me about “how I… on Medium.” This is my most sacred promise. If you ever see a story like that from me, remember this story and demand that I donate my Medium earnings to a charitable cause.

I have some other principles but they are weaker. I limit putting links to my other stories. If you’re a real writer, would you insert a hyperlink to your other book, your blog, or your story? No.

Look at Umair Hague for example. This story — I counted twenty links to Umair’s other stories. I bet those other stories have another twenty links to Umair’s other stories. A nice pyramid of collapse porn.

How Much Worse Are the 2020s Going to Get?

Now my next rule. Actually, it’s not a rule. I write on several topics that occupy my mind. Russia, love, running, pop culture, parenting, struggles, entrepreneurship, healthy eating. I definitely repeat a lot of my thoughts and feelings in my stories. But I try not to recycle my writing. Unlike … Well, you know who.

So tonight I saw Umair’s story (see above — how much worse are the 2020s going to get?) and thought I’d copy…