Farm Bank was a Farmville-like game where users would take care of virtual farm animals, but with a twist. Users could spend real money as an investment in their farm and animals, which allegedly had real world counterparts, and make a return on their investments by simply playing the game and caring for their animals. However, there were no real farms nor animals. Any pay-outs were driven by a pyramid-scheme structure, and the app’s CEO eventually fled to South America, making off with 80 million USD in the process.
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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
