Robert “Robby” Silk is the founder of competitive chair-sitting, an extreme sport where people compete for the longest time spent sitting in uncomfortable environments like deserts. Silk attempted his first competitive chair-sitting session five years after reading The Haj, a novel by American author Leon Uris. He was inspired by a scene where a man vowed to wait steadfastly in a desert for his package, no matter how long it took; the scene’s message that “time is of no consequence” resonated with Silk profoundly. 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
