I'm graphic designer and artist and photographer and poet, as well as an author and writer activist. There is a deep psychology to visual layouts that is long PROVEN to enhance reading engagement. They've now created a system contrary to visual impacts intended to keep readers scrolling. They should have added MORE graphics and layout control, not less. They need to hire some actual designers.

Obviously, no layout or graphic designers work for Medium. And, no one who has studied the psychology of engagement or color and layout works for them either. This is just high-handed imposition from people who lack aesthetic design sense.