“I can’t help but see the predatory aspect of it, however gauzily wrapped in the vocabulary and signifiers of femininity, strength, solidarity, battling cancer[.]” Wendy A. Woloson recounts her experience of wig-shopping before her first round of chemotherapy. After buying a wig, she was offered many products that claimed to preserve some of her hair or coax it into growing back after chemo. She experienced a disgusting reality first-hand: companies exploit sick people by preying on their desire for compassion and dignity in their most fragile moments. 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
