I used to write for Cornwall Today magazine as an intern. My editor was obsessed with 10 best thing lists. 10 best pubs, 10 best things to do this spring, 10 best beaches, 10 best hotels, 10 best public toilets, 10 best places to score weed this summer, and on it went. I asked her if I could perhaps write a feature, so she said yes.

I wrote it on how the UK food industry (this was 2005) didn't want the humble Cornish Pasty to get protected Geographical Status (it did in the end in 2011) otherwise they couldn't call them Cornish, and they were scared of losing revenue. It was a good piece—and an important piece—but my editor thought it was too topical. What she meant was too left-wing and Europhilic, so it was dropped.

Then she had the great idea of getting me to do a piece on the 10 Best Cornish Pasties in Cornwall! The vision of my editor was frightening!

My point is, Medium, despite the guff as you point out, is a hell of a lot better than most publications. Thanks.