Indeed, the interface has changed again and there will likely be more changes prompted by the new CEO. Changes for the better would be nice, but of course they can also be for the worse.

Medium likely wants its users to customize their experience, keeping the algorithm's shadowy work in the background. The ideal is for the user to feel he or she is in full control even while the platform is achieving its hidden objectives of addicting the users, making a profit, and perhaps pushing a neoliberal narrative.