Have you ever heard someone say that the US is in a lot of debt and has a trade deficit, and thought “wow, that must be really bad”? Well, you might be surprised to learn that these indicators of the country’s economic health are not necessarily negative. The US’s large debt actually means that it is a trusted borrower, and its trade deficit is driven by the fact that it can often import goods more cheaply than it can produce them domestically. So next time someone mentions the US’s debt or trade deficit, you can impress them with your new understanding of these complex economic concepts! 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
