Distributed teams are professional groups that don’t need to be in close contact to routinely collaborate with each other. Often, they work asynchronously — not at the same time — and rely heavily on externalised information. Because of this, video calls are the worst form of communication for them. They not only force people to synchronise their schedules but they’re also incredibly difficult to glean information from without detailed meeting notes — the process of which is more time-consuming than the call itself. 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
