I've been writing and published for 60 years - on three different continents. I started on the web in 1994, and started writing on it (as opposed to magazines, newspapers, etc. before that) in 1999.

I've written on many web platforms during that time. On every single platform that I have ever written on, only the top 5% actually earn, and only about 1% earn sufficient money to make a living out of it.

In America, the IRS states that the average income that amateur writers earn is $1000 per year. That's more than most countries.

There is no transparancy owed to writers. Writers aren't doing Ev Williams a favor. He is doing them a favor. Its' a job, and the top people get paid, and those that don't do it very well, don't get paid.

It's that simple.