Medium is still finding its way. It's tough and I genuinely sympathize. But like you say, there is a disconnect between what they say they prioritize and what they do in practice. Now, of course, it probable is the case that more people prefer fluff to substance, but I come back to the argument that people who want the same old fluff will get it for free elsewhere at the many dozens of sites catering to that. Medium is where people who want more can pay more, and should get it.