SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " circle " 475 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Full circle: Sean McVay collecting former players on coaching staff
Robert Woods joins Brian Allen on Sean McVay’s Rams coaching staff
Trump Told Inner Circle Some Mass Deportation Policies Went Too Far
The president is convinced that voters don’t like the term “mass deportation,” and has directed advisers to adopt a new approach on one of his central campaign promises.
SoFi Responds to Inaccurate Short Seller Report
SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFI), the one-stop shop for digital financial services, today issued the following statement: The claims made in the Muddy ...
Medicine in motion: Ballroom dancing helps all ages step to better health
On a dance floor, the waltz looks effortless: couples gliding in sweeping circles, posture tall, movements fluid. But beneath the elegance is a surprisingly...
From circles to spacecraft: How pi powers science
Math lovers and pie fans unite on March 14 to celebrate Pi, the infinite constant driving everything from space exploration to medical breakthroughs.
Circle Bank Charter And Earnings Put USDC Business Model In Focus
Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) has received preliminary approval to form a national trust bank, giving its USDC stablecoin business a new regulatory footing. The company also reported strong quarterly earnings, supported by rising USDC adoption and new partnerships with Visa and BlackRock. Circle Internet Group is appearing on more investor radars, with NYSE:CRCL closing at $115.38 and posting a 99.4% return over the past 30 days. The stock is also up 13.2% over the past week and 38.2%...
Pi Day means big business for Pie Bar in Kennesaw
March 14 marks Pi Day, a celebration of the mathematical constant 3.14 used to calculate circles.
Scientists Warn: Earthquakes Are Migrating Toward Istanbul Along the Marmara Fault
Researchers analyzing two decades of seismic data have uncovered a striking eastward migration of earthquakes along the Main Marmara Fault.
Cierra Harrison shines as Mizzou Softball run-rules UT-Martin
Mizzou Softball secures run-rule victory backed by stellar performance from Cierra Harrison in the circle.
Northwood University Announces 2026 Class of Outstanding Business Leaders
From the Indianapolis 500 winner’s circle to landmark construction projects and multi-state enterprises, the 2026 class of Northwood University Outstanding
Mental health solutions for the digital age
Ask the digital natives of Gen Z about the source of their biggest mental health challenges, and most will say social media and AI.Several of the nearly 400 guests at the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit, presented by the Friends of Semel Teen Advisory Council at UCLA on March 8, explicitly named the endless stream of content on their phones as serious stressors. “Everybody is addicted to (Tik Tok) as if they were addicted to substances,” said Jantin Asmar, 17, a senior at Virtual Academy in Antelope Valley. “We’re always chasing that dopamine. We’re expecting that dopamine rush and it’s really decaying our interactions with others.” High school student Jantin Asmar was among nearly 400 people who attended the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) Even young teens feel pressure to be on social media constantly, both to consume content and collect “likes,” said 13-year-olds Chloe and Sophia, both students at Brentwood School. “Everyone’s always on, and you miss stuff if you’re not on it,” Chloe said, adding that social media’s emphasis on appearances is leading to eating disorders: “That’s a big thing for our generation.”The incessant influx of images and updates creates expectations that “weigh teenagers down,” said Linda Kou, 16, a junior at San Gabriel High School.Even though digital spaces allow people to connect with others beyond their immediate surroundings, it doesn’t always translate to real-life community, said Kelah Morgan, 17, a senior at Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School. High school students Kelah Morgan, left, and Linda Kou, shared about the challenges presented by social media. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) “Even if you see people saying that they relate to you online, it might be hard to find people in your personal life who you see every day who you feel comfortable enough to say, ‘You see me online, but this is me in real life and what I’m actually going through,’” she said.Solutions for our digital timesThe Gen Z Wellness Summit was intentionally designed as a free, in-person gathering where young people interested in mental health from across the southland could meet in person. “Peer support is the most important element of maintaining our mental health in community,” said Helena Hansen, MD, PhD, director of UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.Keynote speakers at the summit addressed AI, social connection and self-empowerment, while breakout sessions included discussions about eating disorders, dating, substance use, phone detox and breathwork. Here are some of the day’s top takeaways:Beware of FOPO: Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, a psychology professor at Columbia University, said that rather than FOMO, or fear of missing out, we ought to be more aware of FOPO: fear of people’s opinions. “Just think about how much your FOPO might be holding you back in your life,” Dr. Kaufman said. “And just that inner contemplation should be enough for you to change your life, because there’s so many things we don’t go after because we have debilitating FOPO.”We don’t need to feel like we’re the best – or what he called “narcissistic self-esteem” – but it’s helpful to acknowledge our own worth, recognize our good qualities and develop self-belief in the skills and talents we’ve cultivated. When we have that – dignity and self-respect, without needing everyone to like us – FOPO is less of a concern.Self-reflection is most effective in community: “When we try to self-reflect alone, we sometimes ruminate,” said Ira Bedzow, PhD, executive director of the Emory University Purpose Project. “But when we self-reflect with people that we trust … (it) allows us to hold ourselves accountable to different ways of seeing and different ways of hearing and different ways of being.”Opening up about our experiences and listening to others are skills we can develop, Dr. Bedzow said.He invited students to participate in what he called a “fishbowl exercise,” where four students sat in a small circle, surrounded by a dozen or so students forming a larger circle. Those in the inner circle answered such questions as: “What stops you from being you today?” and “What helps you feel most like you?”Within minutes, the group in the small circle (the fishbowl), were sharing intimately about their life challenges as those in the outer circle nodded in understanding.After the exercise, one participant said, “I felt like I wasn’t alone, that it wasn’t just me who feels that way.”Another remarked on how “personal” it felt to share face-to-face with others, even strangers.Don’t let AI crush your creativity: Theoretical neuroscientist Vivienne Ming, PhD, has been studying artificial intelligence for more than 20 years. And while she said “it’s reasonable to be concerned” about the fast-growing technology, it can also help humans become better problem-solvers when used strategically.“The smartest thing on the planet today are humans and machines working together creatively,” Dr. Ming said. “What gets more valuable in humans as machines get smarter? Our ability to explore the unknown.“Your unique voice is literally your value to the world … but most of us for most of our lives have been taught to not be unique,” she continued. “Be your own person. Celebrate being different. It is genuinely, measurably, truly valuable.”In a breakout session called “Phone Detox? IYKYK: Living Your Story IRL” led by Don Grant, PhD, students shared their frustrations with AI compromising academic work, art and creativity.“Art is a translation of human experience,” one participant said. “When people use AI, they diminish their own human experience.”Dr. Grant urged them, as “the last generation to remember a world before AI,” to remember the power of imagination and creativity – and to act on it.Remember that social media distorts perceptions: Stuart B. Murray, PhD, PsyD, who directs the Eating Disorders Program and Translational Research in Eating Disorders Program at UCLA, asked the students in his breakout session to take a spontaneous selfie and edit it to conform with society’s beauty standards. All 20 girls in the room immediately got to work, thickening their hair, slimming their faces, plumping their lips.“The pressure to look like what we present on social media can be crippling,” Dr. Murray said. “We now know that social media use is part of a causal pathway into an eating disorder.”Adolescents and young adults are most at risk of developing an eating disorder, he said, with one in three students on college campuses exhibiting clinically meaningful eating-disorder symptoms. More than 4 million people in California will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.Even for those who don’t develop anorexia or bulimia, the ubiquity of modified images online distorts what we consider normal, making us feel worse about ourselves. Remembering that, he and other speakers said, might inspire us to log off occasionally and spend time in the real world with people who love us as we are.
This Giant Dinosaur Walked in Circles 150 Million Years Ago – Scientists Uncover Its Secrets
A rare looping dinosaur trackway in Colorado reveals new clues about sauropod movement and hints that the massive animal may have walked with a limp.
Vance, Rubio and others in Trump’s inner circle preached caution on Iran. Now they’re on board
When President Donald Trump first raised the prospect of war with Iran, some of the most serious reservations came from his second in command.
Google Messages starts rolling out ‘Tap to Draft’ for Smart Replies
As we previously spotted, Google Messages is adding a new “Tap to Draft” behavior that saves you from accidental Smart Replies.
Go behind the science with Rodolfo Dirzo
The Stanford ecologist traces quiet shifts in the natural world – and how they circle back to human health. PhD student Phil Roberge takes us on a tour of his lab.
Google Chrome is switching to a two-week release cycle
Google will soon release a major update for its Chrome browser on all platforms every four weeks to "get features [out] faster."
Google Messages Details page brings back edit history
After losing with the broader Material 3 Expressive redesign, Google Messages Details page has regained edit history.
Google Messages more widely rolling out circular read receipts redesign
In August of 2024, Google Messages started testing a circular redesign of read receipts. There now looks to be wide beta availability...
After decades of soliciting the expertise of locals, Hajo Eicken’s northern career is coming full circle
The director of the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is returning home to Germany after 28 years in Alaska.
Five Berkeley Lab Scientists Receive DOE Early Career Research Awards
Five scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have received Early Career Research Program (ECRP) awards from the Department of Energy. The ECRP program, now in its 16th year, was established to bolster the nation’s scientific workforce by supporting exceptional researchers at the outset of their careers, when many scientists do their most formative work. Recipients use the funding to pursue projects that have the potential to solve scientific challenges and advance the country’s STEM capabilities. To be eligible for the program, a researcher must be an untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professor at a U.S. academic institution, or a full-time employee at a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility, who is within 10 years of having earned their doctorate. Awards to an institution of higher education will be approximately $875,000 over five years, and awards to a DOE national laboratory or Office of Science user facility will be approximately $2,750,000 over five years. This year’s Berkeley Lab awardees and their projects are listed below: Timon Heim: Better detectors for more powerful particle colliders Timon Heim is a staff scientist in the Physics Division. His ECRP project will develop a new type of detector that can track the particles generated by collisions in particle colliders with high spatial and temporal resolution. Current detectors in use at high-energy colliders, like the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, can track the trajectory and measure momentum of particles, but they can’t track a particle’s time of arrival with sufficient precision to discern from which of the many particle interactions they originate. Heim’s proposed technology — called a 4D tracking detector, because it captures data about particles’ positions in space and time — aims to solve this challenge, allowing researchers to glean more precise data from collision experiments to uncover new insights into fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles. The enhanced capabilities of 4D detectors will be a necessity for experiments at future colliders, such as the Muon Collider or Future Circular Collider. The project will develop custom microelectronics that process the signal of a pixelated silicon sensor that can register charged particles passing through it in an extreme radiation environment that these colliders produce during operation. The goal is to measure individual particles’ position with 50-micro-meter spatial and 50 pico-second (one trillionth of a second) temporal precision, for an incoming flux of around 1 billion particles per second per square centimeter. Harrison Lisabeth: Studying underground processes to unleash abundant energy Harrison Lisabeth is a research scientist in the Energy Geoscience Division focused on combining real-world experiments and AI to guide development of geothermal energy systems. His project will explore how deep underground rock formations – where geothermal wells are dug – are stressed by chemical reactions of the minerals and mechanical strain from movements in the Earth. A better understanding of subsurface stresses is essential to engineer safe and reliable geothermal wells that access the heat of deep rocks to produce electricity. It is estimated that the U.S. could generate ten times the amount of energy needed to power the grid using geothermal sources. Lisabeth plans to simulate how minerals grow, dissolve, and influence the behavior of surrounding rock in geothermal reservoirs by tracking chemical changes in rock samples under pressure in the lab. The project will also develop machine learning models to predict geologic strain based on field measurements and refine existing models that describe how common rock types deform under stress. Combining these approaches, Lisabeth hopes to develop a framework to predict stress to improve stability and longevity of geothermal wells. Daniel Carney: Pushing the quantum boundaries of particle measurement Daniel Carney is a staff scientist in the Physics Division who uses quantum information science to study particle physics and gravity. At very small scales, “quantum noise” — random fluctuations from the act of measurement — can drown out faint signals from rare processes. Carney’s ECRP project, “Fundamental Physics at the Quantum Limits of Measurement,” aims to build a new mechanical quantum sensor that can measure extremely small particle interactions below the limits of that quantum noise. The approach uses lasers to hold a tiny bead containing radioactive atoms; when one decays, the system measures the bead’s motion and the energy of any particles emitted. The experiment’s initial goal is to search for heavy sterile neutrinos, hypothetical particles predicted by some extensions of the Standard Model. The system could also help measure the mass of the neutrino, study the way particles interact through the electromagnetic and weak forces, and hunt for low-mass dark matter — all unsolved mysteries in particle physics. Callum Wilkinson: Using machine learning to demystify neutrinos Callum Wilkinson is a staff scientist in the Physics Division and part of the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. DUNE will create an intense beam of neutrinos that interact in detectors in Illinois and, after an 800-mile journey through the earth, in massive detectors in South Dakota. By precisely measuring neutrinos and how they change, researchers will get a better understanding of their fundamental properties and whether they are responsible for why there is so much more matter than antimatter in our universe. Wilkinson’s ECRP project will apply two machine learning techniques to improve the analysis of DUNE’s data and enhance the experiment’s precision. One approach will look for hidden patterns in how neutrinos interact and produce low-energy particles, while the other will help correct for distortions in what the detectors record. The methods will be tested on one of DUNE’s prototype detectors and could be used in other neutrino experiments, improving their measurements and helping scientists build better models. Aditi Krishnapriyan: Machine learning methods that scale as datasets grow Aditi Krishnapriyan is a faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Research Division (AMCR) and assistant professor at UC Berkeley. Her project, awarded through UC Berkeley, will develop machine learning methods that scale with dataset size for modeling complex, multi-scale phenomena. The resulting tools can be applied in a wide range of research, including the study of new electrolytes for batteries or the examination of molecular interactions. ### Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. Berkeley Lab is a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
Scientists discover "time crystals" that defy Newton’s third law
“Our system is remarkable because it’s incredibly simple,” said paper author and physicist David Grier of New York University.
Paris says 'oui' to booming business of romantic proposals
STORY: This Texan couple have been dating for one year.And Josue Perales wanted extra special celebrations with his girlfriend Kayla Balboa. On a candlelit terrace, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, she says "yes".Balboa had always wanted a Paris proposal. "She's always been mentioning how...""This is my dream place.""This is her dream... well, here we are."To make sure every detail was perfect, Perales employed the help of a local marriage proposal planning agency.And he's not the only one.Paris is seeing a surge in demand for elaborate marriage proposals like this one.Thanks to social media, TV shows and events showcasing the "City of Love", the entire industry catering to love-struck couples willing to pay thousands for unforgettable moments is booming.Les Entremetteuses, or "The Matchmakers", helped Perales get his "yes".Founder Pauline Le Tendre says Valentine's Day is her "busiest day of the year."But she says she's busy all year round - after demand started growing in 2019, with a brief lull during the pandemic."Once the borders reopened, it steadily increased. After that, there were a couple of boosts with (the TV show) 'Emily in Paris,' the Paris Olympics also. We had a lot of work after the Games."The company's proposal packages start at 590 euros, or just under $700, for a proposal on the Seine river banks.The average spend can go up to $2,400 - with some clients spending more for extras, like performers.:: Kiss Me in Paris/Artem Martynov & Anastasia KalynaFor those wanting to splurge even more, Kiss Me in Paris has them covered.The agency says its clients typically spend an average of about $12,000 on their experiences - or as much as some $118,000.:: Kiss Me in Paris/Tuan Nguyen FilmsLuxurious proposals are choreographed in high-end hotels, aboard yachts on the Seine, or in authentic French chateaux."To just be able to, in your social circles, say, 'We got engaged in Paris,' is great, right? It has prestige, it has cachet." That's Cengiz Ozelsel, who co-founded Kiss Me in Paris with his wife Chantelle Marie Streete.They say bookings have more than doubled since 2015.While the more budget-friendly Oui Love Paris agency told Reuters, its bookings have quadrupled since 2020.For many planners, though, the payoff is more than just numbers."I absolutely love it because... people are inviting you into their lives at one of the most special times in their lives."
YouTube Music lyrics now require a Premium subscription
After testing in recent months, YouTube Music looks to be widely rolling out a Premium paywall for lyrics...
Indiana Jones and Great Circle will be full game on cartridge
Bethesda has recently revealed that surprisingly Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the Nintendo Switch 2 will be the full game on cartridge, so no Game-Key Card malarky here.
2026 March Madness: Men's NCAA Tournament schedule and dates
The NCAA Tournament is just around the corner, so here's what dates to circle on your calendar
Bethesda Games Coming to Nintendo Switch™ 2
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle™, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered are all coming to the Nintendo Switch™ 2 this year!
Epstein files reveal close ties to Trump’s influential inner circle
The latest tranche of files reveal new details about the extent to which key members of President Donald Trump’s inner circle were interacting with Jeffrey Epstein for years after he was initially arrested and convicted.
Sundance beguiles with sex comedies as distributors circle
Movies such as Olivia Wilde's "The Invite" and the Iliza Shlesinger-starring "Chasing Summer" steer the fest toward chucklesome ground as news of deals build.
Sam Darnold 'going back to Cali' completes full-circle journey of a career rebuilt from the ashes
Why This Expert Believes Social-Emotional Learning Will Survive Politics and AI
As the head of a prominent SEL group steps down, she shares her predictions.
YouTube Music now syncs your queue across Android, iOS, & web
The YouTube Music queue will now sync between your signed in devices to let you seamlessly continue listening.
College football 2026 schedule: One game each way-too-early top 25 team has circled
These games could define the 2026 college football season
Facial Filler, Reversibility, and the Science We Don’t See
I talked about Botox a lot in 2025. Which, in the social circles of a 22-year-old woman, raises a fair question: why? We don’t have wrinkles yet. Our frontal lobes aren’t even finished developing.
Rare bug with Pixel Phone app ‘Take a Message’ could leak your audio to callers
A small number of Pixel users have encountered an issue where “Take a Message” is sending their audio to the caller.
Cone Health Patients Can Now Fast-Track Disability Applications
Electronic record-sharing runs circles around snail mail and faxes.
One Year Into Trump 2.0, Elon Musk Is Still Poised to Be Kingmaker
The neofascist tech oligarch was cast out of Trump’s inner circle, but his money and influence are still omnipresent.
Fourth Coast Entertainment “Up North Magazine” celebrates 20 years of championing North Country music and entertainment
CANTON – A homegrown music zine that started as an eight-page passion project in 2006 is celebrating two decades under the Fourth Coast Entertainment banner. Founded by North Country …
5 Best Small Business Loans of 2026
We selected the best small business loans of 2026, including BlueVine, OnDeck, Fundbox and Funding Circle.
How Bournemouth's shootout loss 'completed a circle of sorts'
Bournemouth's exit from the FA Cup on penalties at Newcastle United completed a circle of sorts, as the two sides had contested the first televised FA Cup penalty shootout in January 1992. Before the 1991-92 season, drawn FA Cup ties were replayed, again and again, until a winner was found. For Bournemouth's part, they played Torquay at Bristol City's Ashton Gate (1932), Ipswich at Arsenal's Highbury (1952), Watford at Swindon's County Ground (1967), Blackpool at Aston Villa's Villa Park (1972), Gillingham at Brentford's Griffin Park (1974) and Colchester at Watford's Vicarage Road (1977) in cup competitions.
Patriots sign four to practice squad heading into divisional round
Running back D’Ernest Johnson and cornerback Miles Battle have circled back.
Golden Globe highlights: Brazil on a streak, Amy Poehler's pod wins and Seth Rogen comes full-circle
The Golden Globes had its share of surprises and sweet moments. Amy Poehler took home the first podcast award, joking about NPR, and Seth Rogen experienced déjà vu, winning after his show “The...
YouTube TV rolls out Live Guide redesign on Android, iOS
The YouTube TV Live Guide redesign is now widely rolling out to the Android and iOS apps. Compared to the previous...
One UI 8.5 could finally bring Bixby’s long-awaited major AI upgrade
Bixby could get integration with DeepSeek and Perplexity with One UI 8.5. It could also have Google Gemini and Circle to Search-like features.
YouTube rolling out search filters update that renames and removes
YouTube is rolling out updates to its search filters that include renames, removals, and other adjustments. The aim is to “align better...
Penske Entertainment adds $11 million to IndyCar Leaders Circle
Penske Entertainment set aside $31.9 million in 2025 for structured payouts to IndyCar Series team owners in possession of Leaders Circle contracts, and has added $11 million to the total for 2026.Through the Leaders Circle program, which is exclusively available to IndyCar’s 25 charter entries, the top 22 finishers in...
Google Messages getting new long-press menu for texts, images
Following the camera and gallery redesign, Google Messages is testing a new long-press menu for text and image actions.
Ambitious entertainment destination in Peoria abandoned
A high-end entertainment destination that was planning to bring an elevated experience to the P83 Entertainment District in Peoria has been abandoned, the owners recently announced in a news release.
Russini: Steelers discussed hiring Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman
Freeman led Notre Dame to the National Championship last season and is a popular name in NFL circles.
Chrome for Android rolling out Reading mode redesign that's easy to trigger
Chrome on Android has offered a Reading mode for several years now, and Google is now significantly redesigning it.
St. Armands Circle businesses get a boost in sales from holiday shoppers
The Giving Tree owner says they tripled their sales for the month of December this year compared to December last year.
Circle Furniture has closed all its stores - including one opened this year on Cape Cod
After decades in business, Circle Furniture abruptly announced it was closing all Massachusetts stores and laying off all employees.
Local sports teams triumphed in 2025 - The Chestnut Hill Local
So they aren’t from Northwest Philly -- surely just a technicality -- but we would be remiss in not starting this annual review without noting that the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX in February.
After 70 years of business, Circle Furniture is closing its doors
On Tuesday morning, employees received an email confirming they’re being laid off.
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.
Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar
Dec. 26 – Mattea Joy performs at Sawmill Brewing Company at 5 p.m. Dec. 27 - Phyl Wickham performs at Sawmill Brewing Company at 5 p.m. Dec. 28 - Dig Deep Duo (bluegrass) performs at Sawmill …
A navigator for better science reporting
Science touches nearly every beat in local journalism, yet many reporters lack the training or time to confidently navigate complex scientific topics. In this piece, Bob Sillick explains how The Open Notebook, in partnership with the Reynolds Journalism Institute, has launched the Science Reporting Navigator to close that gap. The new tool aims to help local journalists spot misinformation, understand research and bring scientific clarity to their daily reporting.
Orange Beach unanimously approves one-year extension on entertainment districts
The City of Orange Beach unanimously approved one-year extensions for two of its entertainment districts, maintaining current regulations surrounding alcohol consumption within these districts. …
YouTube Music might be settling on this Now Playing redesign
For over a year now, YouTube Music has been testing various Now Playing screen redesigns on Android and iOS.
Mark Pope and the Cats comeback to beat St. John's in CBS Sports Classic
A game that's been circled on the schedule since St. John's and Rick Pitino replaced UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump admin targets Maduro’s inner circle, family
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content.
YouTube Shorts is testing a new location and fresh phrasing for its Dislike button
Google is testing out new ways to improve dislikes on YouTube Shorts, and it could come with hiding the button in a new menu.
‘Matter of survival’: South Korean president urges public health cover for hair loss
Medical professionals and some in conservative circles feel argument of Lee Jae Myung may be a bit thin
BlackRock names 5 engineers to its top circle of technologists shaping the future of the firm
BlackRock's tech fellow program honors the firm's most distinguished engineers. Meet the newest members of the elite cohort.
Trump’s Inner Circle, On the Record (Part 2 of 2)
Susie Wiles discusses the Epstein files, Pete Hegseth’s war tactics, and “retribution” against Letitia James.
What's behind the wellness claims for the synthetic dye methylene blue?
Taking drops of a medical dye is trending in wellness and biohacking circles. Some influencers claim it boosts longevity and brain health. Scientists say the hype has gotten ahead of the research.
Experts: Sharyland Business Park will bring great value to Anzalduas Bridge area
Video coverage of all the remarks made from the podium at Killam Development's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
As Netflix and Paramount circle Warner Bros. Discovery, Hollywood unions voice alarm
Several Hollywood unions, including the Writers Guild of America and Teamsters, have expressed serious concerns over a potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery or its assets to Netflix or Paramount.
Science Minister Seeks to Turn Korea Into a Global AI Powerhouse
Until he was named South Korea’s new science minister in July, Bae Kyung-Hoon was largely unknown in political circles, having spent his career focused on computer science.
Area Events & Entertainment Community Calendar
Dec. 11 - Veterans Coffee & Conversation at the Eagles Club Dec. 13 - Optimist Free Movie for kids at The Cosmo Theatre at 1 p.m. Dec. 13 - Merry Merrill Market (downtown Merrill) 5-9 p.m. Dec. …
Exxon CFO Kathy Mikells to Retire Feb. 1 Due to Health Condition
Kathy Mikells, the first outsider to join Exxon Mobil Corp.’s inner circle of top executives, will retire next year as she battles a serious but non-life threatening health condition.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle update adds an outfit suitable to eat chilled monkey brains in
The team at MachineGames has issued a new update for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
BAFTA Games Awards 2026 Longlists Unveiled
The BAFTA Games Awards ceremony will take place in London on April 17, with the longlists containing the likes of 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,' 'F1 25' and 'Jurassic World Evolution 3.'
Healing comes full circle at Loma Linda University Children’s Health
Pediatric oncology nurse Heather Kono's journey with Loma Linda University Children’s Health began long before she put on scrubs.
Ukraine talks start in Florida, the first without Zelenskyy's controversial former aide
Peace talks began as Zelenskyy wrestles with the aftermath of the corruption allegations that touched his inner circle