# Discoveries of Aiden: Episode #111 - Curated Insights and Updates
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Curated Content and Daily Highlights
Greetings, fellow book enthusiasts and dedicated writers! Welcome to Episode #111, where I present my favorite reads alongside community-nominated stories that cater to the diverse interests of our audience. Though brief, today's episode promises a rich variety.
I penned an intriguing short story that you won't want to miss. Imagine a man confined to a wheelchair after a swimming accident, now able to engage with a computer game using only his thoughts. It's true—thanks to innovations from Mr. Elon Musk.
In this edition, I've also included 20 fresh stories that have recently gained traction, which I'm excited to share with our discerning readers. If you're curious about amplifying your own stories, Dr. Yildiz’s attached article is a must-read, providing insightful answers to common questions.
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback on previous collections. I am confident you will discover new and enriching pieces in this compilation, as I strive to present a broad range of topics for everyone.
Just yesterday, I was astonished once again—something peculiar happens every day! I stumbled upon someone selling claps and highlights on Fiverr. We issued a crucial bulletin to remind our new writers to steer clear of such services, as Medium may suspend accounts that engage in these practices. Surprisingly, over 300 individuals are offering these services, but we've only identified one so far.
Recently, Dr. Yildiz shared our monthly newsletter from his secondary account, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz (Tech), and we welcomed even more talented writers to our platform, which I will introduce at the end of this post.
ILLUMINATION is now celebrating its fourth anniversary. Regrettably, I haven't had the chance to write about it or create a video as I once did, due to my busy schedule involving onboarding new writers and managing curation efforts. However, our diligent editor, Mike Broadly, DHSc, has penned a humorous story in an Aussie accent that I believe you will enjoy.
We added over 200 new writers yesterday and welcomed them with open arms. Additionally, a new onboarding pack was released.
Update on Restored Accounts
It’s fantastic to see Medium restore the account of 🥰Lanu Pitan🥰. If you missed his beautifully written story, it provides a lovely backdrop for our cherished ILLUMINATION.
We are also thrilled to welcome back the talented Ammara Hassan, who, like Lanu, has faced some challenging times.
Scarlet Ibis James 🦩 informed us that Toni The Talker is back as well. Scarlet has crafted a beautiful piece akin to Dr. Yildiz's work. Both Scarlet and Toni are cherished writers in our community, engaging meaningfully with the narratives of others, which I wanted to highlight as a testament to our supportive environment.
Gamers have reached out to me on Discord and Slack with inquiries regarding how boosting operates within ILLUMINATION-Gaming. To address their questions, I've created a brief YouTube video, which is accompanied by transcripts for those who prefer reading.
Recently, I shared my predictions for the 2024 Academy Awards and have now completed a new piece discussing the winners. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on it.
As the recent bulk account suspensions are vital for our community, Dr. Yildiz has written an empathetic story addressing this issue. Feel free to share your thoughts, as he has shown compassion for those affected while also highlighting Medium's challenges.
Our editor Mike has also approached this topic from a different perspective. For our new readers, I’ll summarize a few quick updates.
Writer Interviews
You can find interviews with writers from this collection, which Mike Broadly, DHSc, has recently compiled. He loves reading these interviews just as much as I do. Here is the link to his captivating collection:
Mike's Favorite Stories on ILLUMINATION Publications — #39
He has also gathered boosted stories he has read: "I Read 100+ Boosted Stories and Here's What I Learned."
Another dedicated editor, The Sturg, has initiated curated collections. Check out his outstanding editorial picks in The Sturg's Illumination Editorial Picks: Third Edition.
I’ve also updated a piece encouraging writers to post their biographies, as our readers continuously express interest in personal stories. I look forward to promoting your biographies.
Meet ILLUMINATION Writers from Their Personally Penned Biographies
Our ILLUMINATION-Curators have created a new collection for our Reading Club, filled with engaging narratives.
ILLUMINATION Reading Club #8
As a boost nominator, I have introduced stories from frequently boosted writers. So far, I have completed four episodes and will continue to post more, as they can be beneficial to new writers.
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #1
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #2
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #3
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #4
For those who missed Dr. Yildiz's heartfelt open letter inviting non-members to join, I encourage you to engage and share it across your social media platforms. I hope it reaches a wide audience, as we aim to increase our readership following a decline in views.
Invitation to Upgrade for Friends of Medium
I hope many avid readers will consider upgrading their subscriptions, just as I have. If you can afford it, taking the plunge like other early adopters could be beneficial.
I Took the Plunge and Became a Friend of Medium (FoM) Yesterday
Mike Broadly, DHSc, interviewed Dr. Yildiz on how Friends of Medium can share links on our tailored social media platforms. I found that sharing these stories took only 10 minutes and can potentially attract new readers to Medium.
How Friends of Medium Can Amplify Important Stories Via Customized Social Media Sites
Our editors and curators have also elaborated on how we promote non-boosted stories, which comprise over 99% of our content. I play a significant role in enhancing visibility for such stories. Thank you all for the support that keeps this journey thriving.
Daily List for Sharing — Volume 111
I volunteered to compile a list of this collection for easy sharing on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Reddit, or Quora. You can find links to all our sharing platforms in Dr. Yildiz’s story.
Here are the remarkable and nominated stories for today! I believe you will find something to satisfy your reading appetite.
Featured Stories from ILLUMINATION Writers Today
- Xenotransplantation: First Pig Kidney Transplant in a 62-Year-Old Man by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Neurocomputing: The Potential of Brain Organoid Reservoir Computing for Solving NeuroHIV by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz
- Her Son Saw Her in the Shower, and The Sky Was Falling Down by Mike Broadly, DHSc
- Here's How I Improved My VO2max After My 60s with Persistence and Guidance by Mike Broadly, DHSc
- What Car Shows Mean to Me and How They Enriched My Life by Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
- Either a Story Gets Boosted or Fails from My First Year Experience by Davor Katusic
- I'm Mentoring Women In Tech Startups: Dedication For Inclusive Growth by Niko Kivelä
- How to Escape Painful Daily Monotony Without Overhauling Your Life by Celia Fidalgo, PhD
- Getting to Goal: Further Reflections on the Benefits of Assertiveness, Integrity, and Self-Respect by Mark Sanford, Ph.D.
- A Restaurant Review Should Not Have A Picture From Unsplash — How Some "Content Creators" Annoy Me by Kim McKinney
- Wandering Happy And Purposeless On The Möbius Strip by Cristiano Luchini
- What Family Reunions Are Good For by Rebecca Romanelli
- Caring For Yourself Is Not Selfish by Floyd Mori
- Ep. 1: The Road to Recovery Is Paved with Cumstained Socks and Imagined Arguments by rideronthestormCEEE
- This is the best and only GPS you will need to navigate the VUCA universe: the OEI pathway to… by Ahmadou DIALLO ✪
- The Benefits of Adding A Little More Novelty to Your Routine by Aidan Jones
- Yes, Checking Your Phone Early in the Morning is Killing Your Day by Aima
- The World Revolves around You by Alshane Brown
- Want to Fix (Approximately) 99% of Your Problems? Practice Self-Awareness by Angelica Mendez
- Are you subconsciously seeking out rejection? by Annika Lindberg
- Liberty Lords — A Legacy of Impulse & Indignation by Anthony Eichberger
- Losing Control Over My Emotions, Yet I Haven't Felt This Secure Ever Before by bluesapphire
- Triggering Opinion by Cameron Mueller
- Unlocking the 80/20 Rule by Abi Vikram
- How Much Do You Know About the Forgotten Father of American Philosophy? by Charlie J 🕊️
- Why Doesn't Anyone Go To The Source For Answers? by Cheryl Watson
- The Song of Hearts by Chinmay Kumar Choudhury
- Is Your Life Filled with "Dead Time?" Here's How to Fix That by Chris Terrana
- Do you have to forget to forgive by CJ Johnson
- Conflict Management: Do You Have War or Peace in Your Heart? by Coach Francois
- Publication Editors: Are You Using this SMART Promotional Tool? by Justiss Goode | F😄M
- Sundials and Zen Garden by Dr John Frederick Rose
- A Spiritual Journey Through Poetic Pupa by Marcus aka Gregory Maidman
- In Crisis Do Not Abandon What Is Right by JW
- Tips to Boost Your Home Office Experience by Kacper Wójcicki
- The Only 2 Skills You Need to Achieve Great Success in Your Life by Leonid Hass
- Marvel Rivals Is a Brand New Hero Shooter Game Featuring Marvel Superheroes by Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
- Sands of Sorrow by Love, Jackie
- The Man Behind Wolf of Wall Street by Marc Rundquist
- Trouble Staying Motivated? Monitor Your Progress Today to Achieve Your Goals Tomorrow by Marie Biancuzzo
- How You Never Get Wet, Even When It Rains by Marko Eickholt
- Embarking on a Journey of Light: My Leap into the World of Self-Publishing by Melissa K.
- A New Life in White Plains, NY by Michael Holford
- I Miss You Mom by Michael John Scott
- How do I find a unique image that I can use? by Tree Langdon
- The Guaranteed Way To Make Money Online (Through Digital Product Sales) by Michael Lim
- Sartre & Simone De Beauvoir by Monomit Bhowmik
- Energy Givers by SheneaX
- Want to Manifest Easily? Step Away from the 'When?' by Shiitaal Budhrauj
- Seven Ways the Artist's Way Has Changed My Life for the Better by Shilpa Kapilavai
- How Dependence Can Ruin Your Life! by Shravyamiryala
- Post-Massage Pain: My Midlife Journey to Self-Care by Sim C.
- After Starting My Own Business, I Came To Realize That Self-belief Is Everything by Sindy Talk
- When Self Care Does Not Matter-Why You Should Avoid It At All Costs And Do This Instead by Stephanie A. James
- Mastering the Art of Coffee by Steve C
- My Mother and I by Suma Narayan
- Beautiful Heritage Railroads - Stunning Spectacular Places to Visit by Terry Day
- The Five Precepts For Secular Buddhism by The Blues, Funk, Jazz, & Some Thoughts
- The Therapeutic Chill: How Cold Showers Are Stopping Me From Losing My Mind by The Wife
- I asked ChatGPT how to make $100 a day. It was hilarious! by Tom Bartmeier
- Corporate to Carefree: Embracing Balance in Thailand by Tomas Horejsi
- The Evolution of Laughter — Satire by Varun Vijay
- The Evolution of Laughter — Parody by Varun Vijay
- Fury: Writer, Thinker, and More
- 5 Key Rules of Writing an Audio Drama Show by Seda A.
- A Change of Shift by writingelk
- My Sparrow by Zenith Star
- Our Society Is Slowly Dying — Here's Why by Zoltan Gabora
- Finding Comfort in Blocks: How Minecraft Eased My First Time Loneliness and Intense Grief at 17 by Aiden (Illumination Gaming)
Thank you for engaging with these remarkable stories.
Quick Updates and Highlights for New Writers
Here is our onboarding pack, which contains everything you need to get started.
ILLUMINATION-Curators have introduced some recently boosted stories. I believe you will discover some excellent narratives in that collection.
Collection of Boosted Stories from ILLUMINATION Publications — V2
By upgrading his primary profile, Dr. Yildiz has encouraged our readers to become Friends of Medium. I hope many join this inspiring journey.
Celebrating My Reading Anniversary with My Upgraded Subscription to New Medium Friendship
Boost Education:
Here is Episode 2 introducing boosted stories of Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D.
Lessons Learned from Boosted Stories — Episode #2
You can learn more about Matt's background from this interview.
An Interview with Matt Williams-Spooner, Ph.D.
Recently, I welcomed several new writers and look forward to seeing their stories in upcoming collections. You can meet them from the attached post. Their profiles are provided at the end for easy following.
Announcement of New Writers for ILLUMINATION #28 and #27
For new readers and writers, I have also joined as a Friend of Medium (FoM). From now on, the stories I read from other writers will earn them quadruple the previous amount.
Details are in the attached story.
I Took the Plunge and Became a Friend of Medium (FoM) Yesterday
Dr. Yildiz has also written about this to invite our readers to become Friends of Medium and support our writers. The more Friends of Medium we have, the better.
Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers
However, scammers have targeted his beautiful story, attempting to mislead our readers. Every writer and reader must understand and act cautiously.
Scam and Spam Accounts on Medium Are As Bad As Hate Speech and Defamation for Writers
How to Identify Them?
These fraudulent accounts usually have few followers and have not authored any stories. They are non-members without star or heart icons in their profile names.
Urgent Notice: Beware of Fake Accounts Impersonating Influential Writers
If you're interested in gaming, I also discussed the winners of the 2023 Game Awards and will introduce some of those games in my upcoming stories.
The Winners of The Game Awards 2023 Have Been Announced
For those who wish to craft stories about these incredible games, consider submitting them to my publication, ILLUMINATION-Gaming. I'm here to elevate your narratives and ensure they stand out, enhancing their chances of being boosted.
I wrote about my goals and how I can assist our writers in my story titled ILLUMINATION Gaming Is Part of the Boost Program Now.
To inform new writers, our special publication, ILLUMINATION-Curated, is now a boost-nominating publication.
Learn about How ILLUMINATION Publications Support the BOOST Program.
I've organized all my lists into one comprehensive story, a treasure trove of excellent reads awaiting you. Please consider sharing the love on your social media and diving into these gems! You won’t regret it.
Introduction to New Writers
Now, let's welcome the new writers who joined us yesterday. Please explore their stories, and if they resonate with you, feel free to connect with them. This is a wonderful opportunity for writers and readers to meet.
I managed to follow most of you today, but I couldn’t follow more than 150 profiles, so I will continue tomorrow.
A Special Welcome to New Writers on New Year's Day from the Chief Editor
A Special Welcome to New Writers on Christmas Day from the Chief Editor
Announcement of New Writers for ILLUMINATION #28
Announcement of New Writers for ILLUMINATION #27
New writers, if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me on our Slack workspace or Discord server. I introduced these services below.
I also enjoy featuring writers on YouTube. If you're interested, feel free to reach out to me on Slack or Discord.
About Me
I write articles in my areas of expertise, which include gaming, filmmaking, social media, and design. I am also a YouTuber. Thank you for subscribing to my account to receive notifications when I post on Medium. I recently created a new website to share my content for free and promote the stories of writers contributing to my publications on Medium. I also have a Substack newsletter. Let’s connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.
I manage two publications on Medium, one for video gamers and another for YouTubers and Podcasters. I also support ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications as a volunteer editor and participate in collaborative activities within the Slack Workspace.
Writer applications for my publications can be submitted via this weblink. Please include your Medium ID. You might consider becoming a Vocal+ member to monetize your content. I also enjoy email marketing using Cliqly, which is my affiliate link.