Vanya Wryter Consulting Services

Tag: internet

  • What was the last thing you searched for online?

    What was the last thing you searched for online?

    If you really want to know someone, ask them about their internet search history. That little trail of questions can be revealing. In my case, my search history might make me look like an unhinged movie villain with a tech problem.

    As a writer, I spend a lot of time googling things that would raise eyebrows if you didn’t know the context. For example, “would a person drown easily” was one of my recent searches for a story I was writing. Not because I’m plotting anything nefarious, but because fiction demands believability. 

    Then there are the health-related searches. A friend asked me about her medical condition, and I wanted to give thoughtful advice, so I did some quick online digging. Without knowing this, someone looking at my search results may think I was the one with the health issue.

    I search for a lot of places as well, especially when deciding on where to dine. I’ll check how to get somewhere…and then never actually go to that place because I found a place more convenient. So I appear to plan ambitious trips and abandon them before leaving my driveway.

    And TV shows? I have the patience of a two-year old. I’ll watch something, get curious, and search, “How does episode 4 of season 2 end?” or “Who is the new guy?” because I skipped a few episodes. Online searching is a real time saver.

    The one constant in all my searches? Tech problems. Easily a quarter of my searches are about the software I use, price comparisons, if the latest virus is a real threat or a hoax, or what-on-earth is this tech term I just heard about.

    All in all, my search history paints a funny, chaotic picture—equal parts dark, nerdy, and hopelessly curious. In other words, a writer just trying to figure it all out.

    Daily writing prompt
    What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?
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  • Celebrating Women Who Changed the World

    Celebrating Women Who Changed the World

    International Women’s Day, March 8, is a day to celebrate women: your mother, your sister, your daughter, your spouse, your friend, your coworker… any woman you would like to applaud. I would like to celebrate the achievements of remarkable women who made lasting impacts in history, science, and innovation. I’m highlighting three extraordinary people: Wu Zetian, Hedy Lamarr, Judith Love Cohen, and Elizabeth Magie.

    Wu Zetian: China’s Only Female Emperor

    Wu Zetian (624–705) became emperor in a male-dominated society, at a time in history when women weren’t rulers in China. This rank in itself was an amazing achievement. Rising from a concubine to Empress Consort and eventually Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, she was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and ambitious reforms. She expanded the civil service examination system, giving more people opportunities based on merit rather than birthright. 

    Hedy Lamarr: Hollywood Star and Inventor of WiFi

    A glamorous Hollywood actress of the 1930s and 1940s, Hedy Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor. During World War II, she co-developed a frequency-hopping communication system to prevent enemy interception of radio signals. This pioneering technology laid the groundwork for modern Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. In her time, she didn’t get the recognition she deserved. Now, her contributions as a visionary innovator in science are being acknowledged.

    Judith Love Cohen: Aerospace Engineer Behind the Apollo Missions

    Engineer Judith Love Cohen played a key role in developing the abort-guidance system (AGS) for the Apollo 13 lunar module. She worked on the guidance system to help astronauts return to Earth while she was in labor, and solved the problem before delivering her son. She was also an advocate for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), encouraging young girls to pursue careers in engineering. Her legacy is a testament to the importance of women in space exploration.

    Elizabeth Magie: Inventor of the Game Monopoly

    Elizabeth Magie invented “The Landlord’s Game” to illustrate the dangers of monopolies. This game popularized circular board games. Previously, board games were usually linear. Parker Brothers paid her $500 for the game, with no royalties. Although her idea was later adapted into Monopoly, her contributions to the game were not acknowledged during her lifetime. (A sad fact, considering that Monopoly ranks as one of the top ten board games of all time by units sold.)

    This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women in history!

    Image credit: Elf-Moondance