August on Engage: The Diverse Voices and Perspectives Behind the Stories
A compilation of thought-provoking stories from our engaged writers
The silly season sunset is fast approaching, and September is just around the corner, so today I bring you a handpicked assortment of compelling stories from all corners of Engage’s multifaceted writing expanse.
August stories
How Does Courage Impact Your Life?
I am a coward who just happens to do brave things under the guidance and influence of pain and common sense.
Annelise’s story revolves around her acknowledgment of her fearfulness while recounting instances where she undertook courageous acts guided by pain and practicality. She reflects on the varying dimensions of courage in the face of life’s challenges, diving into the nuanced intersection of courage and necessity, citing experiences of personal growth spurred by difficult circumstances.
Distance Bias, a Mental Shortcut, or an Opportunity?
Humans tend to pay more attention to the things in our proximity than those at a distance from us, both physically and mentally.
In this story, Chrissy dives into the intricacies of bias, both physical and mental, as it shapes our decision-making processes. Focusing on its impact within organizations, the author explores how physical distance bias, as seen in remote work scenarios, and mental distance bias, driven by differences in expertise or ideology, can detrimentally affect collaboration and culture.
Is “The World’s Happiest Man” Really Happy?
More than “three rules for a happy life”
Henry explores the meditation’s potential ripple effect on other aspects of life and how it can be used by those seeking to regain lost contentment. Can we train our brains for happiness in the age of loneliness? That’s the question on my mind right now.
California Exodus — It’s Real
People are leaving California, I get it, but I’m staying
In this story, the reader follows Michael, as he reflects on the ongoing trend of people leaving California while asserting their personal decision to remain in the state. He shares his experiences of the various places he has lived and addresses the reasons behind the migration.
Google, I Love You, and We Need to Break Up
Your services are great when they work.
Nicole tackles the frustrations with Google’s premium services and their occasional outages. From the user perspective, she acknowledges Google’s reliability efforts but emphasizes how disruptions in services can severely impact online businesses and personal lives.
It Looks Like The Medium Gravy Train Has Hit The Buffers For Me
The “New” Algorithm has tanked my Medium earnings
A community-focused publication has to embrace the ordeals our authors experience. Paul shares his experience with the new algorithm that was rolled out on August 1st. You may find his story relatable as it reflects on the impact of the algorithm change on his writing journey and contemplates future options on the platform.
A Deep Dive into the Leonardo da Vinci Immersive AI Exhibit
This was the perfect prompt to hit me with right now. I saw the Da Vinci Immersive AI Exhibit with my wife and daughter in Manila on 7 August. Just wow!
Stephen takes us through this high-tech intersection of AI and culture. The exhibit seamlessly blends art, music, science, and technology to create a dynamic showcase, and Stephen does not hold back on all the details.
My Exclusive Answers to Questions Asked For Medium Day
Answers you always wanted to know about writing.
In August, we celebrated Medium Day, and in this story, Tom addresses various questions posed by fellow writers about writing on Medium and other online platforms. He provides insights and advice based on his experience as a writer on Medium and other platforms. Throughout the article, Tom shares practical advice and personal experiences to help fellow writers navigate the challenges and opportunities of writing online.
Engage’s September writing prompt
I don’t want to tag bomb everyone on Engage, but we have a new writing prompt this month: “Fear kills dreams,” and I’m just sending a shout to some of our authors whose words we miss, and I am sure they will have something to say about our prompt: Joel R. Dennstedt, Ben Ulansey, Deb Palmer, Jenna Tidd, Amarie Malone 💖, B.R. Shenoy, June Kirri, Rosa Diaz-Casal, Mario López-Goicoechea, Natalie, Susan Wheelock.
