Although older generations hold more cultural power in the United States, the balance of power seems to be shifting, thanks to digital media. Gen X has recently been crowned as the generation with the most cultural power, dominating film, TV, and news, but with the rise of the social influencer and the digital takeover, millennials and younger generations may soon hold the lion’s share of cultural influence, assuming the older generations fail to adapt. 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
