Netflix isn’t in the business of recommending you good shows but instead shows that will entertain you enough to keep you watching. It operates on the idea of maximising efficiency, not on being a comprehensive digital library or source of universal happiness; it licenses and produces content that caters to the most people for the cheapest cost. As a side effect, they don’t produce too much content on the level of “The Crown” and other great shows; it would be too expensive to justify. 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