The new “mute” function on Medium is great. I have muted all the coding and political and self-help publications. Plus, writers who I don’t care to read. This eliminated 75% of the unwanted stories I used to get in my feed. And I only follow writers I want to read. So my “New from your network section” usually provides good stories.

Money obviously ruined Medium for most people. As you said, a lot of the community feeling is gone. It can be found, but you have to find your small group of writers and be active (respond to stories) to feel it.