According to Mark McGurl, we’re entering a new age of fiction; the Age of Amazon, as he calls it, is the explosion of novels of widely different genres from all over the world. Today, people have the largest selection of fiction to choose from as Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing program allows writers to get novels (ranging from Spanish zombie novels to adult baby diaper lover erotica) out to hundreds of thousands of eager readers, without the hurdles that come with traditional publishing. Has Amazon changed literature itself? 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
