Would-be inventors had it rough in the past centuries; even if they came up with ideas for revolutionary technologies, they didn’t have the technology necessary to make them a reality. Take the threshing machine, a piece of farm machinery that vastly improves farming efficiency. It had been conceptualised in the 1600s at the latest, but it only became widespread in the mid-1800s because of a combination of lack of skill, manufacturers, advertisements, funding, and distribution methods up until that point. 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
