We really can blame the age of misinformation on social media. Research has found that in the absence of direct evidence, people are more likely to believe a claim when they see that many others believe it too. The researchers posited that social media’s visible engagement metrics—like likes, reactions, and shares—make people think that a certain belief has a lot of support and is therefore true. As a solution, they think that false beliefs could be lessened if engagement metrics were hidden from most users. 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
