“If you can, I would appreciate a response by ____, so that ____.” That is one of two magic sentences that we can add to our e-mails to make answering e-mails less time-consuming. We think that people expect an immediate response when they send an e-mail, but that’s usually not the case. So, we check our e-mails frequently throughout the day to answer e-mails as soon as we receive them. Specifying a timeframe for response—and asking for a timeframe if you’re the receiver—will help people focus on more important things. 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