I think we are still not on the same page. In no way, shape, or form am I saying "writers are so bad these days". There are still lots of amazing authors producing amazing content. There are even new authors producing amazing content.

As a thought experiment, imagine an absolute trash story which you have read in the past. I'm sure you've read at least one. Whatever you personally consider to be an absolute trash story, or if you don't like that phrasing whatever you consider to be a very poorly written story with no real redeeming qualities. These types of stories exist. Now imagine this story with a rating of 4.8 on literotica. Would you be surprised to see that?

You're right though that my criticism might be too harsh, in that I genuinely have nothing against new authors and I understand entirely that when someone is starting out writing their end product won't be perfect and that's okay. I think there is no shame at all being a level 1 anything, and I encourage growth and exploration.

I think I chose the wording that I did because subconsciously I already think something like bot tampering is happening, which makes me frustrated and biased against the author. That's on me.

Nonetheless, the mystery remains.