Are you seriously comparing these kinds of jobs to freelance writing? Unless you are actually an employee of Medium or have a specific contract with them, they never promised you or any other writer any income whatsoever.

Yes, creative people should be valued more than we are. As a writer and photographer I truly believe that. And I have not been gainfully employed in some time. But no one writing "on spec" should expect to pay their bills from a single source.

ETA: Re this:

Some days I feel like writing here is like going into work and my boss going I will pay you what I feel like today. You okay with that?

Medium is not your employer. Medium is not your boss. Unless you are employed by or contracting with Medium, writing for Medium is not your job.