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'Short Tests are bad for business' - CA CEO hints at intervening on pitches
Todd Greenberg admitted to having a sleepless night with another two-day Test likely to incur huge losses
Jalen Smith's 2nd diving TD grab wins Rate Bowl as Minnesota denies New Mexico first 10-win season since 1982
The Gophers improved to 7-0 in bowl games under P.J. Fleck.
Jalen Smith's second diving TD grab wins Rate Bowl as Minnesota denies New Mexico first 10-win season since 1982
The Gophers improved to 7-0 in bowl games under P.J. Fleck.
Memorial Health System welcomes Dr. Joan Allman to ranks
PARKERSBURG – Memorial Health System has welcomed longtime Mid-Ohio Valley provider Dr. Joan Allman, D.O., to the Department of Primary Care in Parkersburg. With over two decades of experience serving patients in the local community, Allman brings to Memorial Health System the compassion and skill that patients have come to know and trust while under […]
Hilton Head community swarms to support family that lost home, had business damaged in a matter of hours
For nearly 16 years, Delisheeyo on Hilton Head Island has been serving frozen yogurt to its customers. That was almost taken away when someone ran through their business, and then just hours later, an unexpected electrical fire destroyed the owner’s house.
US contemplates sending more resources to forcibly board oil tanker near Venezuela
The United States hasn’t given up its pursuit of the massive, rusted oil tanker it chased into international waters near Venezuela last weekend, and officials are now contemplating moving additional resources into the area to forcibly board the ship, people familiar with the matter said.
Canadian visitors staying away from Vermont amid political tensions
Border crossings by our neighbors to the north are down significantly as rhetoric affects tourism revenue in our region. Our Calvin Cutler reports.
Gavin Newsom’s big dilemma: Tax the rich or defy the left
Gavin Newsom has spent his tenure resisting tax increases — but in his final year in office, that could get harder.
House Oversight Committee widens scope on Somali-led health contractor
Gateway Community Financial denies wrongdoing despite having its Medicaid payments from a Maine state agency shut off
December 26, 2025
Physicist Sean Carroll takes on black holes, Schrödinger’s cat, and other big physics concepts. Plus, we revisit some of our top stories of 2025, covering research into how death metal singers safely produce extreme vocalizations, how algorithms and social media are changing language, and what we can learn from people thriving in the coldest parts of the world.
Anthony Davis 'likely to miss a few games' after leaving Mavericks-Warriors Christmas game with right groin spasms
Editorial: Reforming Oregon health care is no dinner party
It's an immense task to convince Oregonians to switch a state-run universal health care. The arguments made are critical.
PC Makers Are Fighting for Memory Capacity as Reports Warn That Postponing Product Launches Might Be the Only Option Left
Despite holding the capital, PC manufacturers are struggling to secure a sufficient memory supply, leaving them with limited options.
A Healthy Gut Could Improve Mental Health
New research explores the gut-brain connection, suggesting that improving gut health may enhance mental well-being.
The 5 stories that defined San Francisco’s crazy politics in 2025
An Instagram-savvy mayor. A showdown with the feds. A 200-hour supervisor. In terms of political drama, 2025 was the gift that kept on giving.
Little-known Texas law could help keep health insurance premiums low when federal subsidies expire in a few days
Texas is one of a few states that have this law, giving residents under the Affordable Healthcare Act a little more flexibility.
Can NVIDIA's Networking Business Power the Next Phase of Growth?
NVDA's fast-growing networking business gains traction as AI clusters expand, driving record revenue growth and boosting margins.
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.
'Like hitting a lotto ticket.' Why sports memorabilia collectors pursue chase cards
The trading card business is so big, the ecosystem has created specialized markets within it. Collectors can chase a specific team, or stick to vintage cards, among other options.
2025 IN REVIEW: A big year for business in Yamhill County
Craving Hawaiian food? Or maybe a glass of wine? Newberg saw a few regional staples join the restaurant scene, while wine companies merged over the spring and summer to expand […]
'Like hitting a lotto ticket.' Why sports memorabilia collectors pursue chase cards
The trading card business is so big, the ecosystem has created specialized markets within it. Collectors can chase a specific team, or stick to vintage cards, among other options.
I left my dream job as a trial attorney and pivoted into AI at age 40. It showed me the power of leaving my comfort zone.
Aurora Bryant, 40, stopped practicing law to work for Relativity, an AI-powered legal data intelligence company. She said it paid off.
Rec + Relax entertainment complex advances toward construction
After more than a year of planning, revision and delays largely unseen by the public, the Rec + Relax entertainment complex in Lufkin is moving closer to construction, with key
'India Cured Me': NRI Returns After 10 Years, Criticises US Healthcare System
An NRI living in the US for 10 years returns to India, praising Indian healthcare and highlighting the high costs and complexity of the US system.
The business turning rejected produce into savings and cutting food waste
7-year-old donates her business proceeds to Angels for Animals
CANFIELD — Ellie Kaley, a 7-year-old student at West Branch Elementary School, marked her first six months in business by celebrating with a few dozen kittens at Angels For Animals. The Mahoning County-based animal adoption nonprofit is in the midst of a campaign to upgrade its facility. While Ellie didn’t walk away this week with […]
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.
Faith, science and doctors’ struggle with end of life care
If you believe in medical miracles, it can keep you as a physician from giving up too soon.
WA students try out new tech at 'Hour of AI'
Microsoft's one-hour lesson in Bellevue aimed to introduce kids to fast-evolving AI and helping them use it responsibly.
More of our favorite 2025 GIFs, plus a Christmas Day watch guide
The Pulse Newsletter 📣 | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. We’re having fun below. For the latest news, check here. We’re back for the real thing this morning on actual Christmas Day. I hope you’re all having a merry time. More GIF gifts, from us to you: The Bounce’s Zach Harper checks in with one of the more aesthetically funny GIFs of the season. That’s Desmond Bane pelting OG Anunoby with a basketball. I’m still laughing. Zach told me this is...
Former employee accused of stealing over $215,000 from Metro Detroit moving service business
A former employee of a Metro Detroit moving services business is accused of misappropriating funds and transferring the company’s money to her personal accounts.
Gig work is evolving fast. See how drivers and delivery workers are trying to stay afloat.
Gig work for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and others has become widespread — and tricky to do profitably, gig workers have said.
Kaballos Demolition Makes Way for Possible New Business | Geauga County Maple Leaf
Kaballos Mexican Restaurant was gutted by a fire the morning of April 13, 2025, leaving a blackened shell in the center of Middlefield Village’s largest commercial district. Last week, demolition of the charred structure on 0.8 of an acre at 15585 W. High Street began with giant green containers parked on the snowy asphalt parking
Backed by Swifties and social media, an NC business has put its town on the map
Sparta Candle Co. started with a daughter’s loving gesture. A million followers on social media later, doing good is still the heart of the mission.
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.
Belvidere business owner donates leftover toy drive gifts to children in need
A Belvidere business owner says seeing children smile is what motivates her to keep giving back.
Full-length Replay: First Things First: OT
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes and OT anchor Danny Parkins offer their opinions on the day’s biggest sports stories.
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.
Historic Ann Arbor store closes after more than a century in business
After nearly 120 years serving the Ann Arbor community, Downtown Home and Garden welcomed customers for the final time on Christmas Eve before closing its doors permanently.
‘It's about giving back.' Volunteers help Eaton Fire-impacted business after storm flood
Do-gooders stepped up to help an Eaton Fire-damaged business after it flooded on Christmas Eve.
Scientists found a way to restore brain blood flow in dementia
A new study suggests that dementia may be driven in part by faulty blood flow in the brain. Researchers found that losing a key lipid causes blood vessels to become overactive, disrupting circulation and starving brain tissue. When the missing molecule was restored, normal blood flow returned. This discovery opens the door to new treatments aimed at fixing vascular problems in dementia.
Scientists say evolution works differently than we thought
A major evolutionary theory says most genetic changes don’t really matter, but new evidence suggests that’s not true. Researchers found that helpful mutations happen surprisingly often. The twist is that changing environments prevent these mutations from spreading widely before they become useless or harmful. Evolution, it turns out, is less about reaching perfection and more about endlessly chasing a moving target.
Trump tells 10-year-old child he made sure ‘a bad Santa’ is not ‘infiltrating’ the US
The phone rings. Would your 10-year-old like to speak with the president? He’s tracking Santa Claus from his living room in Palm Beach.
Lessenberry: A fateful year awaits in Michigan politics
LANSING — Well, it’s Christmas, and I hope everyone reading this, whatever your beliefs may be, is having a wonderful and relaxing day. While this isn’t ...
Ukrainian soldiers have incredible tactical patience and are far happier moving slowly than the British military
The Ukrainians are "are very happy being slow" as they know they need to secure everything, a British military officer told BI.
Timothée Chalamet insisted on being spanked for real by Kevin O'Leary in 'Marty Supreme'
Timothée Chalamet took the full force of Kevin O'Leary's paddle whacks during a spanking scene in "Marty Supreme" and refused to use a stand-in.
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.
'Weird Science' star makes rare appearance since leaving Hollywood after Steven Seagal divorce
'Weird Science' star Kelly LeBrock made a rare public appearance at 'Real Housewives' alum Lisa Vanderpump's Vanderpump Dog Gala, years after she quit Hollywood following her divorce from Steven Seagal.
“Weird Science” star Kelly LeBrock makes rare appearance since leaving Hollywood after Steven Seagal divorce
LeBrock, who gave up Hollywood for a quiet ranch in Santa Ynez, Calif., turned up for a charity event thrown by "Real Housewives" star Lisa Vanderpump.
Madeleine’s Shin Splint Scare Leads to Leg-Saving Play at MU Health Care
Madeleine cherished the camaraderie of college soccer, but recurring injuries — including a chronic stress fracture in her right tibia — ultimately ended her career and required surgery during Thanksgiving break in 2022. A surgical complication involving a nerve block caused severe damage, leading her surgeon to refer her to MU Health Care’s Limb Preservation Program.
Attacks are Evolving: 3 Ways to Protect Your Business in 2026
In 2025, small and mid-sized businesses made up 70.5% of data breaches, driven by weaker defenses and high-volume cyberattacks.
Gemini will let you keep working in other apps as it processes your request
You should soon be able to resume using an app after activating Gemini, without having to start over with Gemini from scratch.
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
What giving flu shots backstage taught me about public health
On or off Broadway, public health lives or dies at the level of ordinary, everyday interactions.
Cracker jokes and custard chemistry: ways to smuggle science into Christmas
Researchers share the easy ways to uncover moments of festive discovery, proving you don’t need a lab coat to experiment this Christmas
Holiday crowds boost business across Berks County
From the Peanut Bar to the American Diner, restaurants and other businesses in Berks County look forward to serving customers through the holidays.
Santa Clarita resident and ‘Call of Duty’ creator Vince Zampella dies in crash
Vince Zampella, “Call of Duty” co-creator and Valencia resident, has died at the age of 55 in a fiery car crash on the Angeles Crest Highway. Respawn Entertainment, a video game […]
Full-length Replay: First Things First: OT
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes and OT anchor Danny Parkins offer their opinions on the day’s biggest sports stories.
Hong Kong firms hoping new southbound travel scheme will drive more business
Social media users are selling driving courses to Guangdong car owners while local companies are offering perks to attract business.
Public Health Informatics Specialist
📊 DATA MEETS PUBLIC HEALTH! 📊Northern Nevada Public Health is seeking a PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS SPECIALIST to turn data into life-saving insights! 💡 $78,936/yr + excellent benefits & NV PERS retirement! 📍 Reno, NV | Perfect for you if you have: Bachelor’s in computer science/data sciences and 2+ years health informatics experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience ✅ Skills in SQL, R, Python, Power BI desired | Ready to start the new year using your tech skills to improve public health outcomes? This role combines cutting-edge data analysis with meaningful community impact! 🚀 You’ll analyze health data, support disease surveillance, and help shape public health decisions that protect our community! 🌟👉 Apply now: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washoecounty ⏰ Application Deadline: January 30! #HealthInformatics #HealthStatistics #DataScience #PublicHealth #WashoeCounty #TechJobs #RenoJobs
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future advances could unlock millions more. Each new find also opens doors to conservation and medical breakthroughs.
WHO updated recommendations on HIV clinical management: recommendations for a public health approach
This document provides an overview of the updated World Health Organization recommendations for HIV clinical management, which focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, preventing vertical transmission, and enhancing tuberculosis prevention among individuals with HIV. These updates are intended to support global initiatives aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Key changes include the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs and regimens, revised postnatal prophylaxis and breastfeeding guidelines for managing infants at risk of vertical transmission, and the endorsement of shorter tuberculosis preventive treatments to improve efficacy and adherence. The recommendations are designed to simplify and advance HIV care, promote equity, and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. The updated guidance will be incorporated into the forthcoming revision of the antiretroviral therapy chapter within the Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery, and Monitoring: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
This tiny peptide could help stop brain damage after injury
A four–amino acid peptide called CAQK has shown powerful brain-protective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury. Delivered through a standard IV, it zeroes in on injured brain tissue, calming inflammation and reducing cell death while improving recovery. The peptide worked in both mice and pigs, whose brains are closer to humans in structure. Researchers are now preparing to move toward early human clinical trials.
Fresno approves new management deal for Convention and Entertainment Center
A newly approved three-year management agreement signals for the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center pairs national venue operators charged with driving events, tourism and revenue while addressing operational costs, labor relations and downtown activation. Leaders
Columbus immigrant business owners say ICE fear is driving customers away
Immigrant-owned businesses in Columbus say fear tied to ICE activity has slashed foot traffic, leaving owners struggling to keep their doors open.
Plant science with a twist
From morning glories spiraling up fence posts to grape vines corkscrewing through arbors, twisted growth is a problem-solving tool found throughout the plant kingdom. Roots “do the twist” all the time, skewing hard right or left to avoid rocks and other debris. Scientists have long known that mutations in certain genes affecting microtubules in plants can cause plants to grow in a twisting manner.
Scientists Found the Deepest Known Arctic Vent—and It's Teeming With Life
The deepest recorded cold Arctic vent is a living surprise, researchers say.
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health recognizes 7 distinguished alums as the 2025 'Hall of Fame' honorees
Recipients include Dr. Anne Rimoin, professor in the UCLA Fielding School’s Department of Epidemiology and Gordon-Levin Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases and Public Health.
Health officials warn of potential measles exposure at DIA
Colorado health officials put out an alert Tuesday about a potential measles exposure at Denver International Airport earlier this month. That
Vince Zampella, video game pioneer behind megahit Call of Duty, dies at 55
One of Vince Zampella's crowning achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide.
An LSU professor’s tips for responsible AI adoption in business
As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, business leaders across a range of industries are having to work out how to adopt them without putting sensitive information or the trust o… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content […]
5 Broncos players snubbed by Pro Bowl voters
Marvin Mims and Devon Key headline the Broncos' list of Pro Bowl snubs this season.
Klarna Sees Triple-Digit Spending Growth Across Entertainment, Experiences, and Automotive This Holiday Season
NEW YORK, December 23, 2025--Klarna, the global digital bank and flexible payments provider, today reports an increase in U.S. holiday spending beyond traditional retail, with consumers driving triple-digit year-over-year growth across entertainment (+130%), experiences (+115%) and automotive products (100%), such as vehicle maintenance and repairs, from December 1 through Monday, December 22, signaling a clear shift toward experiential and high-value practical purchases this season.
I'm 'Shark Tank' investor Kevin O'Leary. I wake up at 5 a.m. with no alarm and refuse to answer emails.
"Shark Tank" and "Marty Supreme" star Kevin O'Leary explains his daily routine, which includes eating protein, biking, taking naps, and avoiding email.
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.”
Avid weightlifter leverages exercise science interest into impactful research
Years ago, Wil King took the intellectual approach to improving his physique.
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.
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