It is a paradox. Who needs a blog when you can make money here? BUT, you can’t talk directly to your audience because you don’t hold the list and what happens when the platform changes? If beginning writers don’t want to maintain a self-hosted blog this can be beneficial. Is the income here enough? Some make a full-time income here, but others make their income on their own websites and people walk through this Medium doorway to something different. (better?) Yes, Michael, a paradox for certain.