According to many junior staffers, the publishing industry is getting more and more inhospitable, with one of the biggest problems being the lack of upward mobility. Junior staffers do gruelling work for years and sometimes never get promoted into better positions—and if they do, it takes forever. Promotion requirements are seemingly obscure; some say that you’ll get promoted when the higher-ups feel that you’re “ready”, without providing criteria to prove readiness. Senior staff are also staying in their positions forever, so there’s little room for growth short of switching companies. 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