It’s human nature to want to be happy, but it seems like constantly pursuing happiness ironically makes us less happy in the long run. Neurological studies have found that having overly high expectations about things or events often results in less satisfaction overall, even after a positive outcome. Worse still is that this diminished happiness causes us to move on from positive outcomes quickly because of our need to feel happy, meaning we aren’t able to be grateful for what we just achieved or what just happened in our lives. 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
