Vaudeville, a variety entertainment that arose during mediaeval times, reflected and questioned the social and political changes of the day. These included how government officials dealt with crises. It’s unclear how regular Parisians reacted to news such as the Cholera outbreak, but those with money and time to spare sought solace and comedic relief in popular entertainment. Vaudeville playwrights were only able to escape the political arena though most of the nineteenth century due to the contemporary crises, and thus seldom came close to displaying actual political consciousness. 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
