In the US, it is completely legal to photograph people if they can be seen from a public place, but the debate on consent constantly resurfaces. One recent picture, in Dina Litovsky’s eyes, was a “lovely family image”, which got reframed as “[c]reepy, disturbing, violent, [and] gross”. Litovsky notes that whilst there is a difference between what is legal and what is ethical, we should reserve debate on the matter for when it is truly pushing ethical limits; for instance, when a photographer “spent a year secretly photographing his neighbors.” 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
