History doesn’t always lend itself well as a source of lessons. Look at Morris Chang’s story. He established the legendary semiconductor company TSMC—Asia’s most valuable company in 2022—at age 56. The lesson most would glean from this is that it’s never too late to start something new, but this severely discounts the education, skill, and experience backing Chang’s success; he went to MIT and became famous in the semiconductor business 20 years before founding TSMC. This article shows how history is full of lessons that sound wise until you learn the context. 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
