Thank you for creating a platform for all our fellow writers here away from M. It's really disheartening to witness the mess that's getting out of hands on the other platform
Dr Yildiz - I'm so glad I found your door and walked through it and have never regretted doing so for even a moment. I have marveled at all that you do and all that you carry to help writers like myself on Substack, Medium and I bet a few other sites to boot.
So to have to kill one of your darlings, it's not lost on me the literal and metaphorical meanings woven together here, is more than painful, but so pleased you are pulling through and have support within the community you have built.
You, and the Illumination community, are one of the gems in this space.
Thank you for this heartfelt story, Dr Yildiz. Every word in this well-articulated piece spoke to me. I love what you do and admire your vision and mission with precision, empathy, and compassion for all parties. I wish you and your team the best in this journey. I will always support your initiatives unconditionally as I believe in your leadership.
This story brought fond and painful memories, Dr. Yildiz. Thank you for writing it from the heart. It gave hope and a few tears, thinking of your wonderful support to countless writers despite your heavy workload and mental stress. I am very grateful for your support and admire your servant leadership. I am also a proud founding member of Illumination-Connect and will serve as a boost nominator, curator, and promoter of this service. I will even work harder than I did on Medium.
Dr Yildiz, I remember every joyful and painful moment from those times. Naively, I believed the Boost program might save Medium, but after a few months, it felt like nothing more than lipstick on a pig. They rejected every story my nominators put forward — and while I could accept that for myself, what truly disheartened me was seeing them dismiss the incredible stories I had spent hours editing, guiding brilliant PhDs with powerful content and outstanding writing skills.
Medium never deserved a curated publication like ILLUMINATION-Curated. Sadly, they dismantled it just as they did with their once-thriving in-house and partner publications like PS I Love You, The Ascent, and others.
In my humble opinion, this platform has become increasingly myopic.
I often wish someone like Chris Best were at the helm — a strategic CEO with vision, courage, and respect for creators.
Medium doesn’t need to control or guard writers like prisoners. It needs leadership that empowers creativity, bringing innovation, and genuinely supports the community it claims to serve.
Thank you for showing your leadership for this wonderful community on Substack. Your guidance is much appreciated and your vision/mission is commendable. Like many, I am behind you as a founding member and sponsor. Keep shining and illuminating us, mate 🌟
This is written from the heart and I was glued to it till the end. I'm glad that the disappointment became a blessing in disguise
Thank you for all that you do Dr
we appreciate and love you
Good to see you here, Dr. Yildiz.
Getting my feet wet on Substack.
Thank you for creating a platform for all our fellow writers here away from M. It's really disheartening to witness the mess that's getting out of hands on the other platform
Agree w Aiden totally❤️
Dr Yildiz - I'm so glad I found your door and walked through it and have never regretted doing so for even a moment. I have marveled at all that you do and all that you carry to help writers like myself on Substack, Medium and I bet a few other sites to boot.
So to have to kill one of your darlings, it's not lost on me the literal and metaphorical meanings woven together here, is more than painful, but so pleased you are pulling through and have support within the community you have built.
You, and the Illumination community, are one of the gems in this space.
Thank you for this heartfelt story, Dr Yildiz. Every word in this well-articulated piece spoke to me. I love what you do and admire your vision and mission with precision, empathy, and compassion for all parties. I wish you and your team the best in this journey. I will always support your initiatives unconditionally as I believe in your leadership.
This story brought fond and painful memories, Dr. Yildiz. Thank you for writing it from the heart. It gave hope and a few tears, thinking of your wonderful support to countless writers despite your heavy workload and mental stress. I am very grateful for your support and admire your servant leadership. I am also a proud founding member of Illumination-Connect and will serve as a boost nominator, curator, and promoter of this service. I will even work harder than I did on Medium.
Dr Yildiz, I remember every joyful and painful moment from those times. Naively, I believed the Boost program might save Medium, but after a few months, it felt like nothing more than lipstick on a pig. They rejected every story my nominators put forward — and while I could accept that for myself, what truly disheartened me was seeing them dismiss the incredible stories I had spent hours editing, guiding brilliant PhDs with powerful content and outstanding writing skills.
Medium never deserved a curated publication like ILLUMINATION-Curated. Sadly, they dismantled it just as they did with their once-thriving in-house and partner publications like PS I Love You, The Ascent, and others.
In my humble opinion, this platform has become increasingly myopic.
I often wish someone like Chris Best were at the helm — a strategic CEO with vision, courage, and respect for creators.
Medium doesn’t need to control or guard writers like prisoners. It needs leadership that empowers creativity, bringing innovation, and genuinely supports the community it claims to serve.
Thank you for showing your leadership for this wonderful community on Substack. Your guidance is much appreciated and your vision/mission is commendable. Like many, I am behind you as a founding member and sponsor. Keep shining and illuminating us, mate 🌟