What was it like to live in a 19th century utopian commune? “Little Women” author Louisa May Alcott experienced first-hand the oddities one could see in a particularly uptight commune, like Fruitlands, Massachusetts. Apart from the standard philosophy of socialism and shared labour, its founders imposed rules that banned “worldy activities”, ranging from sex, to livestock rearing, to the planting of root vegetables and other crops that grew downward. 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
