Don’t you love it when a kiss is more than a kiss? The practice of kissing seems to be a popular topic among philosophers as well, who have written extensively about kisses. Some argue that “a kiss is a kiss”, but others make a case for a distinction between a “first kiss” and all the others. For example, Danish existentialist Søren Kierkegaard believed that a first kiss is a moment that’s incomparable to any other, and that it was so powerful because of its potential to lead to more. 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