“[T]utors pop up like mushrooms around historical geniuses.” Many of history’s greatest minds were tutored at a very young age by other genius aristocrats, immersing the young minds in difficult subjects early on, giving them a better understanding and appreciation of science and the humanities. Even Einstein was tutored, with Max Talmud being the key to Einstein’s geometric understanding of space and time. The decline of private tutoring—at least how the aristocracy practised it—coinciding with fewer geniuses makes this a plausible, if a bit distressing, theory. 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
