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Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland
Breakaway region achieves diplomatic breakthrough after more than 30 years without international recognition.
Deceiving US experts; proving Einstein wrong: 2025 China science breakthroughs
From the detonation of a hydrogen-based explosive to ending a century-old debate, here are some of the major science developments of the year.
12 executives, researchers, others who left OpenAI in 2025 — mostly to Meta Superintelligence Lab
Meta poached at least seven OpenAI researchers over summer. Here are some big names who left the startup in 2025.
Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark's? Experts say we're nothing alike
The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.
5 AI advertising controversies that turned heads this year, from Meta's AI granny to Coca-Cola's shape-shifting trucks
Brands, from McDonald's to H&M, drew backlash in some quarters over their AI-driven ads and marketing experiments.
26 movies with Mass. ties you can watch or stream going into 2026
Want to watch a movie with some home-state connections in 2026? Here are 26 to choose from.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act complicates state health care affordability efforts
As Congress debates whether to extend the temporary federal subsidies that have helped millions of Americans buy health coverage, a crucial underlying reality is sometimes overlooked: Those subsidies are merely a band-aid covering the often unaffordable cost of health care.
SW Florida photographer Jonah Hinebaugh shares best 2025 sports photos
Photojournalist Jonah Hinebaugh rounds up some of his favorite images of 2025 from the Southwest Florida sports scene.
SW FL photojournalist Ricardo Rolón shares best sports images for 2025
Check out some of the best sports photos of 2025 by The News-Press and Naples Daily News photojournalist Ricardo Rolón.
As insurance prices rise, women puzzle through coverage options for their families
Figuring out the insurance options for families often falls to women. Some say they're delaying marriage, taking side jobs, and putting their kids on Medicaid as premium prices shoot up in 2026.
Christmas loss reveals Lakers have problems that need fixing
With the Lakers now on their longest losing streak of the season, some tough questions are about to be asked.
Business Story of the Year: Trump’s tariffs
Like a ghost pepper dropped in the stew, every news story in 2025 was flavored by tariffs.
Mark Cuban said new grads should join small businesses for one reason
The billionaire said new grads can help small and medium businesses adopt AI agents, something big companies don't need them for.
Major entertainment stories of 2025
Gwen Baumgardner looks back at some of the major entertainment stories.
Which states tax Social Security benefits? Check out our map and see what you may pay in 2026.
Some states tax Social Security benefits while others don't. See the map to find out if your benefits will be affected in 2026.
The science of staying strong
Muscles power every movement, but they also tell the story of aging itself. Scientists are uncovering how strength fades, why some species resist it and what lifestyle and molecular clues could help preserve muscle health for life.
Does science agree it’s better to give than receive? A doctor explains
Gift-giving is often framed as a source of stress and obligation, but a growing body of research suggests there may also be something beneficial about giving itself.
Experts met to discuss the ethics of using organoids in research
Organoids are bits of neural tissue that model human brain development. Their use in science makes some uneasy, in part because the brain is so closely tied to our sense of self.
Mental health experts highlight depression treatment challenges during holidays
For some, the holidays, a time most see as a time of joy, can be a difficult season, and mental health experts are pointing to resources available to provide help.
This Boston Celtics team is a special one
The Celtics have exceeded expectations and then some in a campaign many were billing a 'gap year.'
For Anchorage home baker, city’s loosened cottage food laws ease burden on business
In November, the Anchorage Assembly voted to exempt small businesses that sell some homemade foods from a licensing requirement. Many say it will open up new opportunities.
The 8 miracles in football history 🪄
Sometimes, when everything seems decided, miracles happen to offer us matches with completely crazy scenarios. Just like those that occur in Christmas movies, OneFootball has ranked the best football ...
MQTT Pager Build Is Bringing Beepers Back
Pagers were once a great way to get a message to someone out in public; they just had to be cool enough to have one. These days, they’re mostly the preserve of doctors and a few other niche o…
The 5 weirdest science experiments in history | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Although science often advances through tried-and-tested methods, sometimes scientists have to find creative ways to test their hypotheses.
Patriots rooting guide for NFL Week 17: Christmas edition
Who Patriots fans should be rooting for in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season.
Stardew Valley - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has just released
Just before the end of the new year, Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition has released. You can grab it digitally right now. Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is largely the same game as the original, but with some extras. It features mouse controls, four-player split-screen, and GameShare support. On the original Nintendo Switch, splitscreen was limited...
I Just Realized Why I Recognize 'Stranger Things' Actor Jamie Campbell Bower and My Stan Heart Is Quaking
If you think 'Stranger Things' star Jamie Campbell Bower, aka Vecna, looks familiar, I found *the* movie you might know him from. Spoiler alert: It has something to do with vampires.
The best everyday health advice we learned from science in 2025
We certainly saw some major health-related breakthroughs in 2025, including a universal cancer vaccine and human trials for the world's first treatment to reverse spinal cord injuries. But the year was also filled with smaller findings that can still have a big impact on your day-to-day health.
Politics, violence, creeping authoritarianism and those who opposed it: 2025 year in review
I joined the Minnesota Reformer in April in a more regular capacity, as a photographer and social media runner, thanks to a grant from the Bush Foundation. I’ve been a freelancer for the past five years, and this is my first time belonging in some way to a newsroom since internship-hopping in college. It was […]
A surprising brain cleanup reduced epileptic seizures and restored memory
A new study suggests temporal lobe epilepsy may be linked to early aging of certain brain cells. When researchers removed these aging cells in mice, seizures dropped, memory improved, and some animals avoided epilepsy altogether. The treatment used drugs already known to science, raising the possibility of quicker translation to people. The results offer new hope for patients who do not respond to existing medications.
Mental health experts highlight depression treatment challenges during holidays
For some, the holidays, a time most see as a time of joy, can be a difficult season, and mental health experts are pointing to resources available to provide help.
Health care will get more expensive for some in 2026 – and cheaper for others
People covered by Obamacare and Medicaid may see health care costs rise, but for people on Medicare, Biden-era negotiated drug prices are set to go into effect.
From paperboy to vacuum salesman, the unglamorous early jobs of 15 CEOs
Though some of the most prominent CEOs are now worth billions, many started their careers far from the C-suite.
Cold health alert and weather warnings issued for parts of UK on Christmas Day
Organisers of some Christmas Day and Boxing Day swims have cancelled events due to the weather.
More House Republicans are leaving Congress to run for governor than in decades amid frustration over ‘toxic environment’
Congressional Republicans have yet to break the record for most retirements in a single year, but some say it’s only a matter of time before widespread frustration with the current state of Washington leads to a tipping point as many in the party head for the exits.
Business Insider staff share their favorite books of 2025
Check out some of Business Insider staff's favorite business, tech, and innovation books they've read this year.
From a game-saving interception to a 95-yard touchdown: KETV Sports reflects on top 7 Husker football plays
It wasn't the season that Husker fans were hoping for, but there were still some good moments from 2025, including that memorable opening night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Oklahoma is one step closer to creating business courts
Business Courts are one step closer to becoming a reality in Oklahoma, after years of work from lawmakers, state leaders and a special task force. The hope is that business courts would alleviate some of the backlog from district courts.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Final Injury Reports
Some big names out for the purple
Moment of Science: Year in Review
Whether you’re old school, new school, or out of school, it’s always good to learn something new.
Yahoo Fantasy x Arena Club Slab Packs Week 17 Drop — Joe Burrow Color Blast among chase cards
Yahoo and Arena Club are back with slab packs featuring some of last week’s top fantasy football performers.
Obamacare sign-ups are steady, but warning signs emerge
While sign-ups are above 2024, some states are concerned about higher terminations, fewer new enrollees and more consumer calls for help. If Congress fails again to extend enhanced subsidies in January, they say enrollment could drop.
Charlie Loves Science: Reindeer food
Santa’s reindeer will be hard at work tonight, so be sure to leave them something yummy
Against Iran’s politics of exclusion, pluralism is the point
There is a cruel ritual in Iranian opposition politics: some voices abroad constantly interrogate the “purity” of activists inside—why they did not speak more sharply or endorse maximalist slogans, why survival itself looks insufficiently heroic.
Steam and Valve's online games are partially down
Steam is down for some users, along with online APIs for Valve's multiplayer games.
Steam and Valve's online games are down
Steam is down for some users, along with online APIs for Valve's multiplayer games.
School Mental Health Projects Canceled by Trump Might Still Survive
The end of funding could still be days away, but a new court order offers some hope for grantees.
With Native NVMe Driver, NVMe SSDs Deliver Double-Digit Gains In Random Read/Write On Windows 11
Some users have gained drastic improvements in SSD performance on Windows 11 after using the NVMe driver from Windows Server 2025.
Culture change: How 2025 is incomparable to McCarthy’s final season
Some argue the Cowboys have nothing to play for since they're already eliminated from the postseason but that couldn't be further from the truth
I've been to all 50 states. These 4 cities are surprisingly underrated and incredibly fun to visit.
After traveling to all 50 states across the US, some of my favorite American cities to visit have surprised me, from Boise to Milwaukee to Cleveland.
I interviewed some of the top longevity experts in 2025: 4 healthy habits they all have in common—'it's so important to get your body moving'
Implement these four daily behaviors that longevity experts prioritize to increase your chances of living longer, in good health.
Exclusive: OnePlus Turbo Leaks In Live Images With Massive 9,000mAh Battery and 144Hz Display
This is the upcoming OnePlus Turbo while will be making its way to India fairly soon. This device is using the codename 'Prado' and has some pretty
Massachusetts health officials warn of possible measles exposure in Boston, Westboro - Boston News, Weather, Sports
BOSTON (WHDH) - Massachusetts state officials are warning of a possible measles outbreak after someone may have been exposed earlier this month.Officials say an adultRead More
Rochester Sports Garden marks 30th anniversary
The Rochester Sports Garden is celebrating its 30th anniversary as people head to its facilities to do some indoor sports.
I visit South Korea almost every year. Seoul is great, but I recommend visiting these 4 lesser-known cities instead.
I was born in South Korea and have gone back to visit every year. Skip Seoul to see some of my favorite lesser-known cities, like Suwon and Incheon.
My Nintendo December Wrap-Up - News
The holiday season is upon us and the Metroid Prime™ 4: Beyond game is available now on Nintendo Switch™ 2 and Nintendo Switch! To celebrate, My Nintendo offered some out-of-this-world rewards in December. Please check them out and enjoy the holiday…
CMU to Face Northwestern in GameAbove Sports Bowl Friday
Bowl Season Football Release: tinyurl.com/5n7fbvuz
The best moments of the sports year (in GIFs), plus a landmark NIL lawsuit
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! We are in full holiday mode today. Inside: 🎁 GIF gifts, Part 1 ⚖️ Huge NIL lawsuit 🫘 Beans ⛳ Hickory clubs are delightful We’ve done a form of Gifmas the last two years in Pulse territory, so I decided to ask all of our newsletter writers to join the fun this year. The prompt was simple: What is the best gif gift your sport has given you in 2025? We’re starting today because some people open the majority of gifts on...
What Americans would tell Donald Trump or Democratic leaders if they could
Most Americans don’t have faith that their political leaders care what they have to say. But if they had the chance to tell Washington something, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds, they’d say plenty, much of it about the economy.
US: CD Projekt Red honouring Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition eShop price error
Some of you managed to snag a bargain the other day for Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 as the company submitted the wrong discount amount for the game on the eShop.
Karl Mecklenburg says loss will get Broncos' attention
"It’s awesome to have a 12-game winning streak, but nothing will get your attention more fully than a loss," Karl Mecklenburg wrote.
Vikings claim former Colts backup QB off waivers
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings have claimed recently waived Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Brett Rypien off waivers, with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) already out this week: Before this past Monday’s primetime game, the Colts waived Rypien, who had previously been signed to the active roster a week prior to serve as […]
Medicare opens door to covering blockbuster drugs for weight loss
Some Medicare enrollees may soon be able to access super-popular drugs for obesity under a voluntary model program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Tuesday. Eligible beneficiaries will only have to pay $50 a month.
New flu variant hits SoCal, raises concerns among public health experts
Holiday travel is in full swing and flu cases are ramping up. Some experts are worried about a new flu variant making its way to Southern California.
Business owners stress economic damage from power outage in San Francisco
Some local business owners are just starting to figure out just how much economic damage was done by the holiday weekend outage in San Francisco.
Where Braggin’ Rights ranks among Illinois’ most enjoyable rivalry wins
These are some of the greatest wins in Illini history.
Redacted Material in Some Epstein Files Is Easily Recovered
The ease of recovering information that was not properly redacted digitally suggests that at least some of the documents released by the Justice Department were hastily censored.
Pictures of the year: Entertainment
A selection of some of our top entertainment photos from 2025.
Southern Californians, your health insurance costs could rise in 2026
Covered California warns that some people may be at risk of dropping their health insurance. It all comes as the deadline to enroll nears.
Martinis, seafood, and a plastic cup: See some of the zanier expenses at the center of JPMorgan's latest dispute with Charlie Javice
JPMorgan no longer wants to pay Charlie Javice's legal bills. Inside the latest dispute between the bank and the startup founder convicted of fraud.
James Cameron Slams Amy Poehler For 'Ignorant Dig' From ... 12 Years Ago
Twelve years ago, Poehler said something the director will never forget.
The first iPhone Fold dummy shows a radical new design for a folding phone
Someone made a model of the rumored iPhone Fold based on leaked CAD files and it's like nothing we've seen before.
Christmas Day sports: Here's a look at the premier matchups on the holiday
The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has given fans a respite if they need a break from family gatherings or just some entertainment while they sip on eggnog.
Christmas Day sports: Here's a look at the premier matchups on the holiday
The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has given fans a respite if they need a break from family gatherings or just some entertainment while they sip on eggnog.
A Daring Scene on Broadway This Season Has Audiences Talking, in More Ways Than One
NEW YORK (AP) — On any given evening as the lights come up on Act 2 of “Liberation,” Bess Wohl's intergenerational Broadway play about a women’s consciousness-raising group, you can hear supportive cheers of “Whoo!” and “Yeah!” — and sometimes, a round of applause. All before a single word has been ...
Oklahoma City, fans across the state will never forget the year of sports in 2025
KOCO 5 Sports Director Bryan Keating replays some of the many major and championship sports moments from 2025 in Oklahoma City
Tiny implant 'speaks' to the brain with LED light
By directly communicating with the brain, a new wireless device could someday help restore lost senses or manage pain without medications, its developers say.
Airing my grievances towards the 2025 Los Angeles Rams
“I’ve got (some) problems with this team and now you’re gonna hear about it!”
Ikea has made some of its Matter-compatible smart home devices even cheaper.
As the cost of some electronics continues to skyrocket, Ikea has dropped the price of several of its new smart home accessories. The Myggspray motion and Klippbok water sensors are now down to $7.99 from $9.99, and while the three-pack of the colorful two-button Bilresa remotes launched in the US for $19.99, they’re now $14.99. [Image: Two of Ikea’s new Matter-compatible smart home sensors and its two-button remote are now cheaper in the US. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/ikea_matter.jpg?quality=90&strip=all]
From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
In 2025, the Army experienced some of its biggest changes in decades, and with this came new programs and new attitudes toward acquisition at large.
Historical mysteries solved by science in 2025
Researchers studied fossils, well-preserved remains and even a single fingerprint to solve some of history’s long-standing mysteries this year.
Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led some people to wonder why Apple would settle on such a compact form factor.
What voters say they want for Christmas
Political opposites are closing 2025 as they did 2024: on each side of America’s Donald Trump divide. But CNN’s “All Over the Map” survey did provide several interesting takeaways. Some may be instructive about the midterm election climate, at least at this beginning stage.
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
A selection of some of the most striking sports photographs taken around the world over the past seven days.
Your roommate’s genes may be shaping your gut bacteria
Scientists studying thousands of rats discovered that gut bacteria are shaped by both personal genetics and the genetics of social partners. Some genes promote certain microbes that can spread between individuals living together. When researchers accounted for this social sharing, genetic influence on the microbiome turned out to be much stronger than previously thought. The study suggests genes can affect others indirectly, without DNA ever being exchanged.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
My last-second holiday wish list for the business world
I'm not looking for new sneakers or some cool electronics. But a solution to Wall Street's recruiting cycle would be nice.
10 Transformational Health Discoveries of 2025
From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
10 Transformational Health Discoveries of 2025
From advancements in male birth control to the science of supplements, Scientific American highlights some of the most fascinating health and medicine stories of 2025
Companies collecting pennies on the dollar in market to recoup some tariff costs
Some U.S. companies are hedging their bets on the Supreme Court case against President Donald Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs by selling their rights to collect potential government refunds of the taxes to outside investors.
Gridlock dotted with bipartisan breakthroughs in divided Legislature
The first divided Michigan Legislature in years stands out as historically unproductive. Despite some bipartisan action, gridlock looms over the year.
The best entertainment photos of 2025
Photographers share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about some of their favorite entertainment shoots of 2025 and reveal how they got 'the' shot.
The best reality TV of 2025
Scandals, competitions and breakups are par for the course on reality shows, but this year also brought some tender moments that made for must-see TV.
The best entertainment photos of 2025
Photographers share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about some of their favorite entertainment shoots of 2025 and reveal how they got 'the' shot.
Managing the politics of a holiday get-together
We live in a polarized nation, and sometimes, those varying political beliefs and opinions make their way to the holiday dinner table. It can be awkward and uncomfortable. So, how can we bring it all back together and appreciate one another’s company? WEMU’s John Stockwell went looking for answers and, as you’ll hear, found a number of them.
In Pursuit of the Monarch’s Magnetic Sense
The magnetic compass is the last unknown sense in migrating animals. For some scientists, the monarch butterfly is leading the way.
In Pursuit of the Monarch’s Magnetic Sense
The magnetic compass is the last unknown sense in migrating animals. For some scientists, the monarch butterfly is leading the way.
LG Display Announce a New 27" 4K OLED Panel with RGB-Stripe Layout
Share this contentOLED panel manufacturer, LG Display today announced some further details of one of their new panels which was teased a couple of days ago in a promotional video....[click link for more]
Science history: Anthropologist sees the face of the 'Taung Child' — and proves that Africa was the cradle of humanity
Over a century ago, anthropologist Raymond Dart chipped an ancient skull out of some rock from an ancient quarry — and revealed the face of an ancient human relative.