Despite being stereotyped as conservative, the Middle Ages may be naughtier than you think. Many churches in England feature obscene stone figures — “gargoyles” if they diverted rainwater, and “grotesques” if purely ornamental. An example is the Mooning Man of Easton-on-the-Hill, a gargoyle that featured a man bent over, spreading his buttocks and showing off the spout strategically placed where his anus would be. While it seems insulting, the general consensus believes the carving to be protective, warding off evil spirits by distracting them with such profanity. 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
