Should we be afraid of the dark? While the dangers that come with the night (often inspired by sinister movies) are a good reason to fear the dark, Chris Salisbury puts forth the notion that perhaps we should welcome more darkness in our lives. He believes that the darkness is more profound than we give it credit for; it is said to stimulate the imagination and bring humans closer through a shared feeling of vulnerability. 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
