There’s a lot of talk these days about quiet quitting because employees don’t think they get treated well or paid enough for their day job.

In fact, there have been a plethora of stories on this platform about people that claim to be quiet quitting. They also seem to take a large amount of delight in quiet quitting their day job.

But here’s the funny thing

Medium pays most writers a pittance. The money the average writer makes is probably way lower than minimum wage if you factor in the time they put in.

It’s true that many leave or cut back on their writing here, but most still soldier on despite what’s happening.

They put in the work, often publish great articles, and are rewarded with lower views and lower earnings each month.

Imagine if that happened in your day job. You put in a solid day’s work, but your boss just ignores you and cuts your pay.

Not only that, but he doesn’t mention all the changes that are being implemented. You have to find out about those from other writers. Often you find out by accident. Your boss just makes the changes, ignores you, and cuts your pay.

It’s just all a bit weird.

I am well aware that writing here is not a job in the traditional sense. And we don’t get paid by the hour. But the analogy still stands.

People being paid $20+ an hour are quiet quitting their day jobs.

Writers earning $1–2 an hour carry on writing here.

Of course, many write here simply because they enjoy writing and interacting with others. That also applies to me. So, there is nothing at all wrong with that.

But what of those that write here because they want to make more money? Why don’t they get a part-time job paying $20+ an hour rather than writing here for a pittance?

For many, it’s probably the hope that their earnings will eventually rise. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that. But imagine you had a day job paying $2 an hour where your boss told you not to worry. You may make more money eventually he says. How would you react?

Are the two situations really so different?