“How can [critics] criticize a commercial enterprise for being commercial?” To “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz, newspaper comic strips were inherently commercial — merely a way to help editors sell papers. But while he dutifully bent to the whims of his editors, deep down there seemed to be some resentment; he harboured anger at the small space allotted to his work and the lack of control over the very work he created: “I still am convinced that [peanuts] is the worst title ever thought of for a comic strip.” 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
