For an Internet with increasingly huge web pages that take ages to load, Tom MacWright suggests starting over with a stripped-down Internet. To achieve this, he suggests using the Commonmark markup language to write webpages in, as it’s lightweight yet still offers web developers the option of making their web pages look good. Starting a replacement web written in this markup language will consume less data and less memory, and will make it easier to transition between devices, leading to a snappier, more accessible Internet that’s easier to create for. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
