Contemporary Western culture has taught people to fear old age; it is seen as a “semi-death” and a parody of one’s life that’s feared even more than death itself. In her book The Coming of Age, Simone de Beauvoir says there’s only one remedy for this feeling of dread towards old age: find a purpose and stick with it. There’s more to life than youth. Our lives have value as long as we devote ourselves to others, a cause, or intellectual and creative work. 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
