You've hit many a nail on the head there. I have to remember to clap stories, too, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy them - or don't want more from that author.

On YouTube I rarely like or subscribe, yet I still get fed the right content from the right creators. It works (for me as a viewer and a creator myself).

As for evergreen stuff, I'm afraid that appears to be dead on here in terms of revenue generation now.