Are we due for a rise in cult formation? Several factors may be attributed to the spike in cults during the 70s and 80s ー psychedelics, historical and technological bombshells, and more tolerant (lax) cultures. While cults have declined since then, we may see a resurgence of them soon as those same factors are on the rise; Artificial Intelligence seems to have already planted the seeds for future “techno-cults” that will likely grow as AI gets more sophisticated.
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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
