The introduction of Facebook’s Like and Share and Twitter’s Retweet feature between 2009 and the early 2010s became the dart guns by which extremists silenced moderates. The outrage-inducing posts of political extremists were promoted because people shared emotionally charged content. The vitriol that members of the far right and the far left exude in their thought-policing seemed more visible, discouraging nuanced thinkers from speaking up. By shooting down their more thoughtful members, extremists created a political system hostile to compromise. 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
