As a fellow scroller, that experience of landing in the next person's article is driving me crazy, too. I really dislike it. That said, I know most changes in ux are awkward at first, so I'm trying to give it a chance.

Also, I think the "follow" button and a writer's picture should be inseparable. My mind grabs onto the pic+name and makes associations, so when I see more than one article I like from an author, I follow. If it's just their name, I'm less likely to make those associations, less likely to follow.