Hi F., thanks for your comments. To get a few things straight, first of all, we're not talking about writers in an artistic or journalistic sense. We're talking about the research world. I'm not at all talking about gatekeeping the arts; I'm talking about how bad research, expressed badly (i.e., incorrectly), poses public welfare threats when allowed to circulate. In full transparency, I myself am a writer who can barely afford groceries these days. Just a couple months ago (as per another recent essay of mine), I was counting out 3 button mushrooms on occasion at the grocery store with tremendous guilt and considering those 60 cents a reckless splurge. Things are a little better at present, but not by much. Just in case that reassures you to know. ;)

As for "elitism," it looks like maybe you missed the parts throughout the essay (and the title itself?) where I squarely blame the economy for the fact that people are struggling to afford career-supporting investments in themselves and each other. Where I explain that humans deserve to earn enough to make these investments, rather than having to entrust their most important work to machines devoid of social and emotional intelligence.

All to say, if you're stressed about the cost of living, want to see a more democratic arts world, and wish that more people could afford qualified human help, rest assured that we're on the same side. 💜