We all know the Crusaders built castles for defensive purposes… right? Actually, the driving force behind castle construction in the Middle East was lordship. A simple tower, although not a sprawling castle, was a “symbolic seat of power” that satisfied the basic criteria for lordship. It was a defensible area for a ruler, his followers, regional surplus, and wealth. Without these castles, a lord-hopeful could not lay claim to a piece of land as his own, especially since he couldn’t defend himself and his subjects from bandits and small raids. 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
