Mao, Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler were all, among other things, intensely patriotic. “Patriotism,” argues Anthony Fieldman, “is the expression of exclusion rather than inclusion.” This exclusion dehumanises those who aren’t part of the in-group and, as shown in a study on the correlations between war and patriotism, can lead to destruction if left unchecked. Germany, for example, topped patriotism surveys just before the World Wars; now, it consistently ranks at the bottom. 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
