In the 18th century, the concept of boredom was apparently separated by socio-economic status. The word “ennui” — French for “a draining listlessness” — had been confined mainly among the upper echelons of society. While the working class certainly experienced boredom, it wasn’t perceived negatively; it was a side effect of the monotony of work, but not shameful because work had virtue. Ennui, on the other hand, was tied to morality, being caused by sins such as drunkenness. 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
