The general message to all writers is twofold.

1) This is an open platform and all are welcome.

2) Distribution beyond your followers is not open. The page views and the money that comes with it are driven by a need to serve our subscribers value that they think is worth paying for.

On #2, it's obvious to us that the bar for what we serve to subscribers needs to go up. The reward for meeting that bar will be higher but it will require more work.

There is a category of beginner writer who needs to hear that ASAP because they are starting to make plans to make a living here. That won't be possible.

There are other categories of writers who need a more well rounded message and we are working through them category by category as we round out our pitch (so to speak). Often that means shoring up features and distribution changes.

Regarding having something against these writers and interviewers. Our general guidance is: ignore them. Unfollow them. Block them. Just because you don't like them doesn't mean other people don't.

So for the record, I don't have anything against them. I've learned something valuable from all four of the interviewers/panelists. And I have an appreciation for beginners. Many won't make it. And I don't want to use subscriber money to pay for their education. But I don't look down on them.