When a population of any animal discriminates between certain traits and isolates itself from the broader population, it increases its susceptibility to natural selection. According to Chris Haufe, this mirrors the process by which the intellectual community discriminates between ideas and partly isolates itself into niche areas of study. Ultimately, it means that scientific thought evolves in the same manner and with the same patterns as evolution does from natural selection. 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
