Pope Joan was a woman alleged to have ascended to papacy by dressing up as a man, with her gender revealed only after she died in childbirth during a procession. However, she’s most definitely a myth. Stefan Bauer debunks the “smoking guns” provided by Pietro Ratto that allegedly prove how the Church erased Joan from history. For example, Ratto points to inconsistent papal names as proof of her existence, which Bauer says is caused by the multitude of Pope Johns in history and too few contemporary sources. 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