The daguerreotype was a form of photograph invented by Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre in the 1830s, characterised by its distinctive decay in quality. It is created by bathing a silver-coated copper plate in iodine vapour, which creates a light-sensitive surface to be placed inside a camera. After exposure, it’s developed with mercury vapour. This method of photography was beloved by Mathew Brady, whose mysterious, albeit slightly haunted, images — among them being portraits of 18 US presidents — are housed in the Library of Congress. 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
