Spot on points throughout your comment.My personal scale as a reader is usually 36, 18 or zero. I explain why and how I think Medium should change the clap system here: https://medium.com/loud-updates/mediums-clap-system-amounts-to-a-vermiform-appendix-7587edb85a0a As an editor I usually give 50 (unless I really don't like the post) as clapping as an editor is more about support than content.