TikTok has birthed an increase in completely fictional personas. FourFront, who have so far constructed 22 characters, with scripts crafted by a team of writers and the videos performed by actors, are the focus of this article. Their intentions, thankfully, aren’t malicious; instead, the company wants to develop TikTok as a new form of storytelling, and a new medium for scriptwriters to practice on. 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