Good analysis of they way the web is changing and must change. Many of the subscription models are unsustainable, they will only alienate visitors. I include Medium in this, why do they show me teasers for so many articles only paying members can access without warning me I will only be able to see a few lines before having to go to the trouble of sidestepping the membership wall.
One thing thing any site that wants a long term future will have to address is quality, both in terms of the writing skills and the content. On many of the occasions I do go to the trouble of using the back door to read an article I think might be interesting it turns out to be some agenda driven political rant or the latest self promotion puff by some wannabe self help guru or expert in “entrepreneurship.”
I never get much further with those than what the preview lets me see.