Medium does it because it's the type of content that get them traffic. I would liken it to Wattpad where there are more story genres worth exploring and promoting than romance but romance is what sells. They go where the money is. It's a bit low for writers to do this but it's what keeps food on the table. I don't like it but I understand it.
People weren't built for rational thinking most of the time. That's how extreme the gap between intellectuals and the average thinkers. While I know it sounds harsh or discriminating to create this divide but it does exist. I know average thinkers would not want to be lump with the mentally deficit end of the spectrum if you know what I mean.
It's the way things are and most likely will be.
I find it sad that more and more websites/companies are doing the same thing, turning their great products into money makers, driving decent people away, and ending up with a product that only mediocre/toxic people use, who only care about drama.
It's even worse when writers who are capable of doing more than mediocre work just do what the masses ask, because that's what sells.
I don't want companies to focus only on "intellectually superior" people, and to ignore masses, but it would be nice to also promote content creators that do something different, than to ignore them and just focus on what brings money.
Balance should be a thing. Sadly, it doesn't seem to exist for them.
As you, I don't like it, and while I understand it, it still pisses me off.