The Void
#46: A 100-word cautionary tale on feeding that inner emptiness
The Void
Jack’s friends marveled when he jumped off a twenty-foot structure. Soon he was jumping off taller structures, gathering hundreds of followers.
“People love me,” he boasted.
Soon an elbow, an ankle, then three ribs broke. Finally a shattered femur landed him in the hospital. Thousands of fans messaged him.
The doctor cautioned, “Stop! You’ll kill yourself.”
He laughed. “No. My fans love me.”
One day as he jumped, his legs—crooked from injuries—caught on a ledge. Jack fell headlong. And died.
Millions chattered. Headlines screamed of Jack’s daring.
For a day.
A new clown arrived—eating his way to death. Millions chattered.
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reena | 06.09.24
This cautionary tale was inspired by this story from this insightful post by
around the concept of “audience capture”.
Haven’t we all watched people we know become unrecognizable on social media? That’s a theme worth exploring—not just its insidious mimetic influences, but its steady erasure of our humanity and its power to reduce us to the mere reflection we see in another’s eyes. How many have lost track of who they truly are while seeking to feed an inner emptiness with social media approval and approbation?
As always, I’d love your thoughts…
Extra!
I was invited to participate in a global poetry reading event held by Yuganugoonj Media युगानुगूँज, last month and the whole event along with two of my poems can be watched here.
Give it a listen. I go first :-) This has inspired all sorts of notions in my head. Many experiments may be coming soon!
Oh the grief! Your story is so impactful for the meaning.
A cautionary tale, well worth thinking about if your goal is to become known as an influencer. The Gurwinder post provides additional food for thought. Thank you, Reena!