Hey Ryan. I applaud your story, I even give it 50 claps because I believe it's worth it, but I don't agree with your assessment. I'm not completely sure what you mean when you say "bomb" or if that refers to the card links that Medium creates for our stories, or the anchor links that we insert ourselves, or maybe both. Personally, I think the cards are more distracting than the anchor links, but if they're extremely relevant, I don't mind. Anchor links, I've ALWAYS found to be annoying, BUT that's an internet thing, no matter how much you hate it and feel it's intrusive. After awhile, my brain has learned to either ignore an anchor link, or make a note to go back later and see what it's about. Anchor links are purposely designed (or should be), to not interrupt the flow of the content. Links at the end, is really a non-issue if you're talking about it interferring with the flow of the work. And finally, should writers stop doing it? Heck NO. The only way for us to get compensated for the work we put into our stories is for people to read those stories, which only contine to get buried unless WE keep them alive, so hell yes, self-promote your articles and those who choose to can read them, and those who choose not to click on the links don't have to. Just my contrasting views. Thanks for your time :-)