Eveline Meijer

Freelance journalist and copywriter with passion for technology. Experience with online and print media, both writing and coordinating content. Formerly an editor for Dutch IT trade publication AG Connect.

Were you troublesome or sweet as a child?

That really depends on what age we are talking about. As a little kid, everyone is sweet. But I think I was a relatively easy kid. Of course, as a teenager, I caused a fair amount of trouble, just like any adolescent. But I think it was all within normal limits.

What drives you?

I really enjoy creating things, mainly through writing. I love hearing people’s stories and giving insight into what’s happening in the world, whether good or bad. I find it important to explain why certain things happen and what their potential impact is. Of course, when writing such stories I also form my own opinions, and there are issues that I’m concerned about. For instance, I believe there’s not enough focus on cybersecurity in places where it’s really crucial, like government and many companies. Some organizations have it under control, but many lack the awareness or just assume they won’t be targeted, even though the likelihood of a cyberattack is high.

I’m also fascinated by the evolution of AI, especially beyond generative AI, as there are many forms of AI that have already been around for much longer. There are intriguing advances, but I wonder whether people are aware enough of the risks. For example, the government advocates using AI much more in healthcare. For this field, AI certainly offers many promising benefits, but it also carries potential risks that often don’t get enough attention.

I think people can be overly optimistic about technology. While technology can certainly offer great benefits, it also comes with risks, and we need to carefully weigh why we use it. Just because something is possible doesn’t always mean we should do it.

Is this your ideal profession?

As freelancer, I combine journalism with copywriting. I’ve been writing my entire life, so yes, this is definitely what I always wanted to do. But I also have many other hobbies, and balance is very important to me. I’ll probably maintain that balance for the rest of my life, doing interesting work that energizes me, while also having a fulfilling personal life. I don’t have a specific end goal in mind; for me, it’s more about the journey than the destination. After all, what do you do once you’ve reached that goal? Technology is definitely my ‘ideal topic,’ you could say. It has such a huge impact on the world, which is why I feel it’s important to be engaged with it. Especially since there aren’t that many people who can effectively communicate about its possibilities, risks, implications, history, etc.

Are you an idealist or an optimist?

A bit of both. I’d love for the world to be a better place, for everything to be possible, and for me to play a role in that. I have hope that we can achieve amazing things with technology, but I’ve heard so many times “THIS is going to change the world, this will solve EVERYTHING” And then I think to myself “I’ll believe that when I see it!”. If there’s one ideal I hope to see realized during my lifetime, it’s that we treat each other and the earth with more respect. Right now, there’s so much polarization and a lot of “Me, me, me!” in our world, and far too little “we.” I think the world would be a better, kinder place with a bit more “we.”

I also think technology has played a role in making everything individualistic. Everyone is so deeply enmeshed in their own world. We’re constantly switched on, always having to keep up with everything. I think it’s actually healthy to turn off that technology sometimes and just to have conversations. Have a movie night with friends and a big bowl of popcorn, without phones, without spending half the time on Instagram. I think things like that would make our life a lot better.

What do you add to a team?

I’m someone who enjoys brainstorming. So, if someone says, “Hey, we have a topic we want to explore,” I am keen to jump in to discuss options and ways to approach it. Not necessarily because I want to actually do it myself, but just to look at the possibilities and see which ones are practical. I’m also good at keeping an overview, planning, and other project-related skills.

I love good company, and I’m usually up-to-date on pop culture – so for fun facts, I’m your woman!

Why are you a Friend of Stark?

I enjoy the work I collaborate on with Stark Narrative. If I can help more companies with their content, I’m happy to assist. I believe I can help refine their written messaging and I also love to help think about the journalistic and editorial aspects. I would like to focus on developing key messages which are compelling for press releases or pitches.