Rationality, Steven Pinker argues, is not a Western concept, but instead one inherent to humanity. He cites the San of the Kalahari Desert — one of the world’s oldest peoples — as an example. They can tell the difference between correlation and causation; when one San said that a lark’s song makes roots good to eat, two others corrected him and said the lark sings in the months leading up to hotter days, which dry out the soil and make roots good to eat. 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
