Chapter 1: The Connection Between Writing and Marine Life

When we think about writing on Medium, it’s tempting to draw parallels to the experiences of marine mammals in captivity—not in terms of animal rights, but rather through the lens of neuroscience.

Consider your anticipated earnings while writing on this platform. If you're just starting out on Medium, it’s realistic to expect zero income initially. Just like the dolphins depicted in the accompanying image, many new writers share this expectation.

It's essential to clarify that I’m not suggesting that Medium authors are literally dolphins. However, the landscape of online writing in 2024 is diverse, and some writers might indeed resemble dolphins in various ways.

Have you noticed the dolphin leaping in the image above? Just like us, dolphins are mammals; they cannot extract oxygen from water as fish do. In their natural habitat, dolphins leap from the water to breathe. Being kept in captivity doesn't eliminate their need for oxygen, and they continue to jump out of the water—unless they wish to suffocate. SeaWorld recognized this behavior could be transformed into entertainment.

So, how does this relate to writing? The dolphins were trained through positive reinforcement techniques. This approach rewards animals for performing certain behaviors, often with food—typically fish.

Now, think about a wild dolphin's low expectations for jumping out of the water to breathe. In captivity, their expectations remain the same. Let’s name our captive dolphin “Flipper.” Flipper’s low expectations for receiving fish after jumping represent a concept known as positive prediction error. When Flipper anticipates no reward but is pleasantly surprised with fish, her motivation to jump increases (Schultz, 2016).

What implications does this hold for you as a Medium writer? If you enter this platform expecting to earn nothing, the moment you receive your first payment—even if it’s just $0.01—is a positive prediction error. Your initial expectation of no earnings shifts as you publish your first piece and receive that first payment, fueling your desire to write more. You soon realize that with dedication and improvement, your potential earnings could far exceed that initial $0.01.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

Chapter 2: Insights from the Dolphin Training Experience

This video discusses the realities of writing on Medium, exploring how authors can navigate their expectations and experiences.