Why are stories of ghosts such a ubiquitous part of society? Despite the lack of scientific evidence nor religious push to believe in their existence, ghost stories are omnipresent. Tok Thompson, renowned professor and folklorist, speculates that we pass down ghost stories because they convey a message: “very often in ghost stories, there’s a possibility that the ghost can be appeased…And I think that’s a really powerful ethical message to consider: we can’t change the past, but you can certainly try to do the right thing now”. 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
