The anonymity of the internet can be powerfully alluring, and it can be difficult to stay away. So-called extremely online communities, fringe groups that traffic in niche ideology and post absurdities under anonymity, have an appeal that’s hard to explain and impossible to deny. Furthermore, these nihilistic communities are increasingly birthing the neologisms and rhetoric that eventually trickle down to the mainstream. At this point, it’s near impossible to pretend that internet culture is truly separate from “real” culture. 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
