The past months have been a bit quiet, as some may have noticed. This is because we have been slow cooking all the input we’ve gathered during this time, via workshops, reading, conferences and courses.

It is telling for the state of academic work today, that a few months without reaching out actively to an audience feels almost like a crime. Though we did reach out – for example via a post on the Migrant Knowledge blog in December, entitled “Third Cultures – The (Cursed) Gold of Migrants?”. But social media and this website have been rather quiet as we let the vast input thus far settle into shapes that can be shared and make an impact.

Like food in a slow cooker, ideas need time to slowly warm up and gain strength and flavour. Or, using another metaphor closer to the heart of Mobile Worlds, ideas need time to take root, before they can take flight. Our silence implies no less work, but rather an effort of concentration on the essentials, and the meshing of ideas from various sources.

In line with this, we share a little “Ode to the Slow Cooker” as this new feature, and look forward to sharing the – hopefully “delicious”! – results, and perhaps even some recipes you could use for inspiration for your own work.

Ode to the Slow Cooker

by Kim C. v. Schönfeld 

Gathering the raw ingredients
Choosing carefully, quietly
I place them in layers,
Add some spices,
And close your lid.

I add some heat
And I know you will take your time.
I burst with curiosity
Of the effect that will emerge
As layers merge and unmake
To make something new, united.

Yet I cannot speed you up.
You have your time.
You need your time.
The delicious mesh would never emerge,
If I sped you up.

Thank you,
For taking your time.

– brain, please learn from this.

– This post is also published on the Features page of the website. –

Image credits: ITAK_studio via Pixabay