What gets lost between the screens
Now that you’ve had all weekend to dive into all those profiles and longform interviews you’ve let pile up (if not, it still kind of counts if you at least moved that stack of magazines from one side of the apartment to another), you should definitely read this missive from late March: How Do You Write About People When You Can’t Be Near Them?, from GQ writer Zach Baron.
I’ve always been fascinated by the oh-it’s-not-that-glamorous-except-okay-sometimes-it-kind-of-is divulgences by people who cover celebrities all the time, but there’s one specific section that speaks profoundly to the sense of loss we have all been feeling, whether you’re the type who spends workdays traipsing after Robert Pattinson or just someone who deeply misses everything that gets lost between all these screens:
One thing you learn through interviewing people is how fundamentally kind we tend to be to each other, and how drawn we are to the ritual. Our default mode is to seek agreement, to find common experience. Maybe we don’t communicate our thoughts well, but another person still nods like they understand. Our urge is to come together, to smooth out our differences, to find a way to be on the same side …Being together almost always involves an actual effort to be together. It’s one of the most beautiful things people do for each other without even knowing they’re doing it.
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Signal Boost:
**Please reach out to each person directly if you can help + if you want to be added, DM me on Twitter!
—Writing / Editing—
Morgan Keith: I’m an investigative reporter and data journalist who got laid off as a result of COVID. I’m based in LA and looking for a variety of jobs: data visualization/info graphics, local reporting gigs, investigative projects, copy editing, researching/fact checking or writing for podcasts. morganekeith@gmail.com
Brennan Carley: I was just laid off from GQ and I'm looking for entertainment editing/writing, talent booking, photo/video shoot producing, and more! I can and would love to continue Doing It All. w.brennan.carley@gmail.com / 914-673-0010
Alison Stine: My name is Alison Stine and I'm a writer/reporter who specializes in writing about the environment, poverty, rural life/Appalachia, parenting, and disability. My email is: alistinewrites@gmail.com Clips are at: alisonstine.com
—Marketing / Communications—
Kaitie Burger: I’m a content & social media marketer with a focus in writing, specializing in travel/tourism, food & beverage, and arts & culture. Samples of my work can be found at KaitieBurger.com (still kind of in development, unemployment is new!) and I’m reachable at Kaitie.Burger@gmail.com.
Ninh Nguyen: I worked as a Diversity Specialist at NBCUniversal supporting the corporate communications for the diversity & inclusion team for three years—adding to my previous experience at an agency for a combined 8 years. My email is ninhqnguyen@gmail.com and my number is 919-357-4611. Any leads you may have in the communications, diversity, or program management space would be great.