Nudging is any behaviour modification technique that attempts to guide us toward making better choices. It could be something as simple as eating before shopping for groceries, which makes us less likely to buy junk food. In tandem with big data, businesses can nudge us into making the choices they want. For example, a casino can present content that caters to individual people’s tastes, making them play longer; it makes players happy, but it can also lead to them gambling more than they were expecting to. 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
