As a reader, when I read something I don’t like, I at least want to be sure that it is due to my diverging tastes and sensibilities from the author - and not because he or she casually published half-finished material.

I’m not sure I agree with your title as stated, but I am on board with most of what you write, Anne. I do think that by the time you hit Publish — on anything, be it a long essay, a poem, a stream of consciousness blurb — it should feel to you the author that it’s as good as can be. You should be able to say without guilt or hesitation that you’ve invested the time to compose, edit & consolidate and created a piece you’re proud to submit to a prestigious literary journal — because that is what Medium is.

Another way to look at it — there is an incredible amount of great writing on this site. And an overwhelming amount of material, period. Authors have a responsibility to self-curate, and only put out their best stuff, to help their audience avoid the clutter and more easily find quality work.

I do think we’re on the same page, as you yourself write:

everything I wrote was a by-product of me pouring all my thoughts, effort, time, and goodness knew what else into paper