Bottled GiaB
To Connect or Not to Connect
That is the question
Hello GiaB community!
Just as we were preparing for a return to some semblance of normalcy, covid-19 infections spiked again. Once more, national borders are closed and intercity travel is heavily restricted. Panic buying has surged in spite of community leaders advising against it, causing staples to become dearer.
The situation would have been better controlled if the general public followed social distancing rules and refrained from spreading misinformation via social media. Speaking of social media, the editors at GiaB have chosen the top three stories from the responses to GiaB Prompt #16.
Editors’ Picks for GiaB Prompt #16
The role of Social Media in revolutionizing communications and forging connections has been consistently debated. We wanted to know your two cents on this issue and you responded with light bulb moments for which we are grateful.
Carolyn Hastings opens our eyes to a dangerous side effect of social media consumption. Disgracebook - in Free Unforgiving Verse and Poetry forces us to consider our complicity in this matter. What if the current trend of social media abuse is simply an extension of our own human shortcomings?
Tamara Naidoo has a different take on the theme. Her poem, Lying in Wait, speaks for the vast majority of young adults looking for ways to cope with life’s uncertainties.
K. Barrett pulls us in a different direction with her insights on social media. How much of what she rants about in Social Media Overdoes Everything can you relate to? Find out for yourself — you’ll be surprised!
Announcing GiaB Prompt #17
The latest prompt is here and we’d like you to explore something that is seldom explored, wholesome when experienced, and captivating in its own right. Let its surreal beauty shine through your works of fiction, nonfiction and/or poetry. Fascinate us!
Dear Genie Prompt #2 Winners
It’s been incredibly difficult choosing the winners of Dear Genie Prompt #2. The entries of poetry, fiction and nonfiction have provoked much introspection as well as retrospection. Whether it’s changing how we look at ourselves, deciding if forgiveness is the best way forward, or chuckling at the unconventional reaction towards a friend’s indiscretion, there’s something you can take away from each of the winning stories.
The Search is Still On
The publication is expanding its horizons and the team is keen to welcome more editors. If you or someone you know is interested in taking on the role of editor, please send an email to geniusinabottlemedium@gmail.com with “Request to join as an editor” in the subject line. For those who wish to know more about the editor’s role, this Facebook post will answer any questions you might have.
Savoring Life with Shaheena
A couple of weeks ago, I posted something about emotional intelligence on Facebook. I wanted to tag a close friend and former colleague, but couldn’t find her name on my friends list. I didn’t recall unfriending her and yet her name had vanished from my list without a trace.
She moved to another country soon after I quit my last job and we’ve been in touch through Facebook Messenger and now WhatsApp. Her nuggets of wisdom made scrolling through my social media feed worth the time I spent on it (and it was long enough to finish a blog post draft!). Lately, my Facebook feed has been missing her witty remarks on developments in the education sector, the practical implications of an economic theory she randomly discovered, or the need for amplifying women’s voices in literary projects of varying scales.
I only found out during our last WhatsApp chat that she had defected from the Facebook tribe. She desperately wanted to break free from the clutches of discontentment whose grip tightened with every status update posted by friends and acquaintances. I was initially disappointed, but quickly realized this was a brave step forward.
I haven’t stopped using social media(and probably won’t for the foreseeable future), but I have reduced the time I spend on it. I choose to use the various platforms to further my career and creative goals. So, for example, I will share teaching-related posts on LinkedIn and read articles posted by ELT experts for no more than 15 minutes. I will post updates on GiaB’s Facebook page and watch writer development Facebook Lives that last 30 minutes at most.
Quitting the habit of checking my phone as soon as I wake up has been a game changer. I feel ready to take on the challenges of the day because I’m focused on what I need to get done rather than waste precious minutes envying other people’s accomplishments. I’m learning to appreciate my personal journey and to give myself grace when things don’t go to plan. I must admit this is extremely hard but also emotionally liberating.
An important lesson my friend taught me is that we are, for the most part, the choices we make. Although I’m still struggling to adapt to my new environment, I know I can overcome the obstacles with consistent effort, faith in God, and distancing myself from social media as much as possible.
Until next time, keep calm and connect with those who care about you.
On behalf of the GiaB Team,
Shaheena Chowdhury
