“We have to ask ourselves in what sense there is Chinese Literature rather than a literature of a multitude of voices variously engaged with China.” For Xiaolu Guo, the future of contemporary Chinese literature will be multilingual and far-reaching, extending beyond the confines of mainland China. Staying within the mainland offers only state-approved work; you can’t read Liao Yiwu’s painful accounts of Chinese society, the hidden memories of Chinese migrant workers in Cuba and Ghana, or the narratives of international writers with double cultural and linguistic identities. 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
