“The internet, once a place for the undefinable misfits, is now a temple to social norm.” Despite the vastness of the Internet, no matter which niches you pursue, we seem to have grown more homogeneous. At least, that’s what it feels like to Tobias van Schneider, a digital native from the early days of the Internet. The prime example of this is TikTok, where content is a rehash of the same few dances, video formats, and audio clips because they’re what’s “in”. 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
