I've always thought that the 50 scale for claps is absurdly high. I rarely give as many as 50, purely because of the time it takes to keep pressing until that number is reached.

I read an article and I clap for it if I've enjoyed it - the number of times is of no consequence (to me). If I understood better what consequence it was to the writer I might think more about it. But Medium has always been particularly obtuse about the way claps relate to payment.

I think 10 would be a far more sensible scaling than 50.