Tons of very good questions!

I have been writing for decades. Books, articles, essays and scientific papers. I do it because I want to, because I enjoy it. Yes, I look at statistics. We all are happy about clicks, claps, comments, criticism, praise or even just a sign “I've read what you've written.” Writers, like all artists, are exibitionists. We make ourselves naked.

But we don't do it for money (or only rarely). We do it for the sake of attention. Not to be famous (or only rarely), but because we are convinced that we have something to share, something to give. (Many overestimate themselves, of course, but not all).

Of course we could just write for ourselves. But who does that apart from diarists? At least they know that nobody reads what they write. But what about followers here on Medium? They follow me, but they remain silent. That's irritating.

You are one of the followers I know. You make yourself known. That makes me happier than you can imagine. Thank you for that.