Our Shortening Attention Spans

"Attention spans of humans are now less than that of a goldfish," someone boldly proclaims. 

"Nah," somebody scoffs, "that's simply a myth."

Whether or not the severity of the decrease is accurate, the claim of shortened attention spans in the age of TikTok, viral memes, and COVID-19 certainly seems to have some merit.

What can be done:

Try to keep from getting repeat COVID infections -

This one is highly unlikely as it would take us masking in public and installing air purifiers in public spaces. Employers and educators would have to let those who are sick stay home for ten days and vaccines would need to be free. 

It doesn't matter (to most people) if repeat infections increase the risk of organ and white matter damage... it's just the cost of "normalcy" for us. Even people who know not masking will cause people to die don't care.

Get reading -

Books aren't just great for learning new things and increasing empathy, reading can also help expand the ability to focus!

Limit social media and AI use -

Social media can not only make us feel bad about ourselves, it can also make us crave a revolving door of new sights. AI can erode critical thinking and the focus needed to engage with higher concepts.

Start a new "slow" hobby -

Jigsaw puzzles, drawing, Sudoku, and playing instruments can force our brains to maintain concentration in order to progress.

Be picky with what cartoons kids watch -

Shows that have longer plots and gentleness over bright colors and a new topic every minute can help kids... or at least not negatively impact their impulse control.

Stroll in nature or practice mindfulness -

Anything that can put someone more fully in the present moment or make them aware of their body can be beneficial.

Don't neglect sleep -

One night of bad sleep can impact focus and memory the next day. If we're constantly sleepy, our brains can't properly function. It's one reason why cramming for a test is a bad idea.

End note: A variety of neurodivergences, mental health issues, and disabilities can also hamper attention spans. I'm not speaking on those. This is just a short list with some of the research I've found for a "general" audience. I'm not a doctor or an expert.

Honey: Word Search Verse

Note: My newest YouTube video (on author envy) was published two days ago. You can watch it by clicking anywhere on this sentence.

"Honey" was only ever published in Domestic Bodies. It was one of the last additions to the book. If you want the answer key to the puzzle, please let me know.

Video: NEA Funds Revoked for Lit Mags

I finally have a new video up on my YouTube channel (click here)! Video editing and public speaking aren't my strong points, but at least this video has a few jump cuts.

More videos I'm considering include:

- Reviews of poetry collections/books with disabled characters 

- Writing the disabled erotic

- Head of the Copyright Office fired (my theory why)

- Poetry forms (YouTube Shorts)

I have other ideas, but I'd love to know if there's anything you'd like to see me cover or if you have thoughts on the concepts listed. 

Into the Fray and Remission Mission

Remission Mission 

She won the day: Informed the troops
of obliteration and surrender of the enemy,
the demon, that fought dirty and like hell
to possess her body, abscond with her life…
a second stealth attack in the shade
of first victory. The small crowd cheered.
Tears, guests of honor, came and went
like clouds. The warrior gave speeches
of a future in full sunlight, sans chemo.

I think this is the only time I wrote a direct sequel to a poem. It could be they were once a large ramble I detangled, but I don't recall. 

On another note: I had an oncology appointment on Tuesday. I'm still cancer-free. 

Failing Up During the PAD Challenge

I'm currently locked into another Poem-a-Day challenge for April. Writer's Digest puts out prompts for the months of April (when the goal is for 30 poems) and November (when the goal is to create a chapbook). I try to participate in each one. But, the past few years, I tend to tap out halfway.

For someone (mostly) bed bound, I generally get too busy or overwhelmed during the challenges. April is cancer-scan month (plus, often Easter), and the looming appointment always occupies my mind more than it should. November, once another cancer-scan-existential-dread rollercoaster, is still part of a four-month holiday crunch for Brandon and me.

I used to hate myself for "failing" to complete every day, though I still wound up with at least ten new poems to edit and submit to publications. I promised myself I would do better next time but spent the rest of the month cringing and berating myself for my inability to follow through. 

A writer friend recently told me about the term "failing upwards," and it's pretty applicable. Even if I didn't reach the finish line, I ran as far as I could and still got something to show for it. And it's not just a participation trophy.

As of today, I've written 23 poems. They aren't all great. Hell, maybe only a quarter of them will be anything serviceable. But five is better than what I had on March 31st! The time isn't wasted... it's invested. 

Do you ever "fail" in a good way?

Interpretations: His and Hers (Poem)

He promised forever.       She couldn’t stay

The thought was sad       he desired her, anyway.

Reaching for her hand    Trying to keep his word

his grip slipped and,       he thought he heard

her gasp of surprise        (a shocked intake of breath)

he interpreted as hope    that was really love's death.

I attempted to create a contrapuntal poem with some sort of rhyme scheme. This is interesting but also... lackluster. The subject matter doesn't sit right with the more sing-song nature, either.

DEIA and the NEA

Just a couple notes before the post: My flash horror went live on Stygian Lepus. Please be aware that it's quite a dark piece. 

Also, I made a video on my YouTube channel recently about things said to me as a disabled woman. Forgive my nerves.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is caught in a difficult position thanks to Donald Trump's executive orders against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. The NEA has already axed its Challenge America program, which gave small amounts of funding to underserved communities and groups. Though they say individuals and organizations from those backgrounds are still able to apply for funding... it looks a bit tenuous.

No project or proposal can deal with "gender ideology" and qualify. I know this term is used to "weed out the woke and/or trans folks," but I'm confused. If you believe there are only two sexes and genders that match from birth, that's an ideology. If you believe a holy being created men and women to be complementary to each other... that's an ideology. Is the NEA going to make sure there are no creative programs run by TERFs looking to further their agenda?

What else constitutes a DEIA proposal? Is a program automatically disqualified if it's run by a Black woman? If a program requests funding for a music program taking place in a Boys and Girls Club that has more disabled kids than average in attendance, does that mean DEIA strikes again? How do we tell? Is there going to be another committee to oversee choices? Or is the NEA going to be so scared of getting it wrong, they won't even consider certain people or projects? 

A group of artists is imploring the NEA to change course, but I don't think it will. The purse strings are too easily cut. Playing ball will at least ensure some programs get funded... even if merit isn't necessarily a priority.