I do understand that. However people who are already following a writer are more likely to read their content, including their fans & friends, so those people are more likely to reap the benefits.

If there’s not a pre-established minimum percentage of the increased earnings to be distributed to writers, the unequal compensation is likely to benefit those writers and medium stakeholders.

https://medium.com/pigeons-peculiarities/mediums-new-friends-program-favours-the-privileged-d013481209bc