We know that Guardian Weekly readers are spread out all over the world. But where exactly? That was one motivating factor behind an ambitious new interactive project to map GW readers across the globe, which we were excited to launch last week.
Having located many of our far-flung readers, the next step was to think about how we could try to bring you all closer together.
We’re rather proud of the resulting interactive community map, which has come about largely thanks to the Weekly’s multi-talented deputy production editor Emily El Nusairi.
“We had noticed a growing number of readers make some sort of reference to the Guardian Weekly community and how, through correspondence with the paper, they felt connected to like-minded thinkers, however spread out they may be,” she says. “It occurred to us that something should be done to help our readers feel even more connected to each other.”
Initially the project has been launched with contributors to the Good to Meet You feature over the past four years. “Corresponding with such an enthusiastic group has been a real highlight of this project,” says Emily, “and plotting the variety of locations has given us an extreme case of wanderlust!”
But now we want to put as many of you as we can on the map - just send us your name and whereabouts, along with a picture and a few details about yourself, via our Guardian Witness online form. As one reader said: “It’s much more interesting than Facebook!”
Back to this week’s paper, which leads on the shocking leakage from Russia’s creaking network of inland oil pipelines. By its own government estimates, Russia spills 1.5m tonnes of oil each year – that’s more than twice the amount released by the record-breaking Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Alec Luhn reports from the remote Komi Republic in northern Russia.
It may be the summer holiday season here in the northern hemisphere but there’s no let-up in the news agenda, as we bring you fine reporting from Syria to South Africa (and quite a few other places in between).
If you’re still digesting the hectic international developments of the past few months, look out for our Weekly Review lead feature, which has advice about how to cope with life in an age of global uncertainty. And if you’re enjoying a well-earned break from the office, make sure you relax while you can – a Washington Post piece in our Finance section reveals how firms are increasingly using wearable technology to keep tabs on workers’ productivity.
Notes & Queries contemplates what constitutes good fortune and irritating behaviour (though not at the same time). Good to Meet You hears from a reader who appreciates the good things in the world.
It’s always a pleasure to put another edition together, but even more so with a visual reference of where it is going to be read. Thanks again for being part of our community – do take a look at the interactive map, as well as the edition – and let us know what you think!
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