I think you miss the point--they aren't paying us less, the algorithm is distributing the article to fewer eyes. Before July 2021, my average article would get at 500-600 views with a high of 20,000 with a 43% reading rate. Since September, my absolute best view number is 350 with reads at 280...so, maybe the rate per minute is the same or slightly more but they have just turned off the flow to readers...seems like only those who follow me now see my stuff.