“[T]he problem is that Twitter has come to define ‘real life’.” Twitter, for all its potential to be a worthwhile platform for political discussion due to its democratising nature, seems to be incredibly ineffective at making a difference and changing opinions. So, is it possible to step away? Daniel Bessner says it’s not, unless we’re willing to sever our connection to “reality”; it is estimated that 50,000 hours of a 70-year old human’s life is dedicated to social media, effectively turning the virtual world into “real life”. 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
