As for subscriptions, paywalls might seem like a way to monetize content, but, really, what creators are monetizing is their community, whether by offering a closer connection to the creator, like-minded people to talk to, or a safe haven from extractive contributors. A paywall is more like the ticket kiosk at a theme park than a price tag on a car. Most comments aren’t useful, so charging readers to leave a comment helps ensure that participants have meaningful skin in the game. Creators charge money in order to make social interactions meaningful again.
