It’s tempting to trust intuitive arguments about social phenomena, but these often turn out to be wrong. We need to be more sceptical of these ‘models’ and require more empirical firepower before believing them. Take the example of the minimum wage – even with the rigour of modern microeconomics and large datasets, economists are still uncertain of its effects on unemployment. So let’s be extra cautious when it comes to social phenomena and make sure we’re basing our decisions on solid evidence. 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
