MVPs, or minimum viable products, serve as markers for the viability of a tech project. Usually, they are small in scope to prevent excessive time and effort loss. But the MVP during the modernisation of an established tech system is quite the opposite. Instead of modernising the easiest (but least important) aspects, Marianne Bellotti suggests tackling the crucial parts of the system; there will be fewer resources wasted compared to if you find out that modernisation is unviable after already modernising multiple less critical parts of the system. 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
