The Department of Homeland Security believes aesthetics can help protect democracy from bots and other manipulators of information. However, despite their earnestness, the graphic novels produced by CISA lack the nuance to train citizens to be critical readers of the information they consume, leaving them vulnerable to disinformation. On the other hand, Lorenzetti’s “The Allegory of Good and Bad Government” is an example of an aesthetic encounter that successfully encourages us to fear security itself and develop our critical reading skills to help safeguard our democracy. 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
