James Clear’s Atomic Habits posits that the time spent doing a habit-forming action is less important than the number of times you’ve done it. It proposes the 2 Minute Rule: “[a new habit] should take 2 minutes or less.” If you want to start reading, focus on reading two pages a day instead of an hour. Clear states it’s because starting a habit is more difficult than continuing it, so by making it easier to start, you make it easier for yourself to keep developing that habit. 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