SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " 9 " 191,002 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' reveals casting for Sulu and Bones
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' has revealed the casting for two fan-favorites characters that will appear in season 5's finale episode.
Meet the third-generation Louisiana gas station CEO who chairs trade group for $906B industry
Growing up in the 1990s in tiny Mansura, about 30 miles southeast of Alexandria, Annie Gauthier dreamed of becoming a historian and later toyed with the idea of law school.
With the ‘Trump Class,’ Navy battleships join a long list of government entities named for the President
Shake Shack rolls out health-oriented menu
The ‘Good Fit’ lineup of curated items focuses on protein while also offering low-carb, vegetarian, and gluten-free options
27-year-old boosted his income from $50,000 to $432,000 at Amazon in 5 years—it allowed him to quit and start his own business
Nabeel Khan was methodical in building his career at Amazon, rising the ranks quickly from operations manager to project manager to product manager.
Opinion: Affordable health care is key to successful reentry and a stronger Alaska
As federal tax credits are set to expire, Alaska will bear the weight of an avoidable crisis.
Hochul will deliver 2026 State of the State address on Jan. 13 in Albany
She will give the speech at the Egg.
Hochul will deliver 2026 State of the State address on Jan. 13 in Albany
She will give the speech at the Egg.
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.
Which Mid City Mall businesses are closing? What we know
Mid City Mall went on the market in 2024, according to previous reporting by The Courier Journal.
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.
Year in review: Trump's economy : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we look at President Trump's handling of the economy, including his tariff policy.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Elon Musk, AI and the antichrist: the biggest tech stories of 2025
A look back at the biggest tech stories of the year, from the rise and fall of Musk’s Doge to lucrative investments into AI
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Tuesday, Dec. 23
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Trump reveals more about Gov. Jeff Landry’s envoy role: ‘Greenland’s a big deal’
The president said Greenland is important for national security reasons, and called Landry a “dealmaker-type guy.”
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!”
Mayor, council clash over Rochester’s plans for sports complex
The City Council’s decision to move forward with an outdoor sports complex has drawn the ire of DFL lawmakers.
College football bowl and CFP picks, predictions: Legendary Vegas expert reveals best bets
SportsLine CFB expert Bruce Marshall reveals best bets for every College Football Playoff and bowl game
The Thunder's chance at the NBA wins record appears to be slipping away
OKC (26-3) has lost two of three and has the hardest schedule remaining in the league
The $100 million investment that kept San Francisco tourism afloat
Unlike other parts of SF tourism, cruises excelled after the pandemic.
Are the Rockets true contenders? Why their recent struggles are cause for concern
‘Wheel of Fortune’: Ryan Seacrest Hugs Firefighter After Agonizing $114,000 Loss
The contestant spoke out about the moment.
How a Christmas tree defines Ken Welch's first term as St. Petersburg Mayor
The new tree just doesn't have the same spark as before, and neither does Welch.
Boston health officials urge flu shots as cases jump 114%
Officials said the surge is occurring a month earlier than last flu season, when similar levels were not reached until January.
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.
Wisconsin judge sends Slender Man attacker back to mental health institution after group home escape
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional horror villain known as Slender Man was ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital Tuesday after she escaped from her group home last month.
Iowa City sports superfan 'Smiley' dies at 79
One of the most famous sports fans in Iowa has passed away.
After 70 years of business, Circle Furniture is closing its doors
On Tuesday morning, employees received an email confirming they’re being laid off.
Scientists create replica human womb lining and implant early-stage embryos
Studying chemical chatter as tiny balls of cells embed could shine a light on early pregnancy and glitches that lead to miscarriage
Inside Gaming: Strip operator extending discounts into 2026
Plus, Atlantic City casinos won more than $236.8 million from gamblers in November, a year-over-year increase of 5.7 percent, according to state regulatory data.
Popstar! Best of 2025: The Fan-Voted Entertainment Rewind That Defined the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- From blockbuster premieres to viral moments, Popstar! Best of 2025 is a fan-voted celebration of the movies, shows, music, and cultural moments...
Former Sen. Ben Sasse announces he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and is ‘gonna die’
Former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse announced Tuesday that he’s been diagnosed with “metastasized, stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die.”
Farewell, Sports Haven: A Video Tribute
The oil drum-shaped, off-track-betting hall that opened on Long Wharf in 1979 closed on Nov. 30. Local filmmaker Travis Carbonella chronicled its final days.
“My goal is to eliminate every line of C and C++ from Microsoft by 2030” — Microsoft bets on AI to finally modernize Windows
A distinguished engineer outlined a "previously unimaginable" plan to rewrite millions of lines of code using AI agents and algorithms.
5 Broncos players snubbed by Pro Bowl voters
Marvin Mims and Devon Key headline the Broncos' list of Pro Bowl snubs this season.
Boston issues flu warning amid dramatic spike in cases
Boston health officials issued a flu warning on Tuesday amid a dramatic spike in cases in the city. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission said in a release that flu cases are surging earlier this year than they did last year, with a recent 114% increase in cases. They said flu related emergency department visits are…
GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman launches Senate run in Wyoming
Hageman is looking to replace retiring Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis, and touted her support for Trump's agenda in her campaign launch video.
Missouri sportsbook promos: Get nearly $3,000 in welcome bonuses with Missouri sports betting promo codes now
The best Missouri sportsbook promos are available now that sports betting is legal in the state. Get the latest Missouri sports betting promo codes and claim up to $3,000 in bonuses
Michigan Matters: An anniversary at The Henry Ford, and looking back at politics in 2025
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]
Beloved sports reporter dies at 41 after fall from LA building
Australian sports reporter Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, who covered international tennis for Stan Sport, died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 41.
Samsung Unveils New Odyssey Gaming Monitor Lineup, Featuring World-First 6K 3D and Ultra-High-Resolution Displays
2026 Odyssey gaming monitor lineup introduces record-breaking refresh rates and resolutions for competitive gaming, including the world’s first 3D (6K resolution) glasses-free display
Do the Detroit Lions need big, sweeping changes?
Our latest Detroit Lions podcast episode discusses the Steelers loss and debates what changes are needed in 2026.
College football transfer portal: Georgia's Kirby Smart sounds off ahead of CFP
Georgia coach Kirby Smart is no fan of college football's new 'announcement' era
Chargers Daily Links: Tuesday Open Thread
Your source for all Chargers and NFL news from around the web.
NFL playoff picture: Broncos still control division and seeding fate
The Broncos can still win the AFC West and clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference.
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.
High school basketball: Monday's scores
CIF City Section and Southern Section high school boys' and girls' basketball scores for Monday's games.
Green Bay area high school sports results for Monday, Dec. 22
High school boys and girls basketball teams were in action.
Cash rules everything around sports: The K-shaped economy widened gaps between haves, have-nots in 2025
What did we learn in 2025? The K is coming for sports, and we’re not just talking strikeouts.
This is what the ‘most attractive woman alive’ looks like, according to science | - The Times of India
Trending News: Discover the statistical profile of the 'most attractive woman alive' based on analysis of Maxim's Hot 100 lists from 2016 to 2025, identifying key traits and trends in modern beauty standards.
NFL Week 17 odds, lines, spreads: Picks, predictions, best bets today
SportsLine's model simulates every game 10,000 times and reveals its NFL picks today
CDT Environmental Technology Reports 2025 Unaudited Interim Financial Results and Provides Business Updates
Revenue of $7.3 million and loss per share of $0.11 impacted by reduced project activity due to a slowdown in the PRC economySHENZHEN, China, Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDT Environmental Technology Investment Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: CDTG) (“CDT”, the “Company”, or “we”), a leading provider of waste treatment systems and services throughout China, today reports its unaudited interim financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2025, and provides updates on key business development
Junglepussy is ready to conquer the world
It’s hard not to be inspired by Junglepussy — just ask “One Battle After Another” director Paul Thomas Anderson. In our “Annual Self-Assessment,” the rapper reflects on the year and looks ahead to 2026: “You see how I rock the boat?”
One Last Look at 2025, With Help From Ticket Stubs
Our resident culture conversationalist Ryan Patrick Cooper reflects on a year of highs, one ticket stub at a time.
UW Medicine program helps primary care providers treat mental health
A new UW Medicine program helps train primary care providers like doctors and nurse practitioners to help with patients' mental health needs.
Orioles stories of the year: Baltimore’s 2025 power outage
A steep drop in home runs and extra-base hits sunk the O’s offense in 2025. Is there hope for a turn around in 2026?
Federal cuts and a race to replace McConnell. Here’s a look at top state politics stories in 2025
Kentucky Public Radio has covered a tumultuous year of federal cuts and shifts, the lawsuits challenging them, state governance and another hefty legislative session. Rediscover our top politics stories of 2025.
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.
USA TODAY Sports unveils the 2025 ALL-USA West Football Team
Tradon Bessinger and Tony Cumberland headline the 2025 ALL-USA West Football Team.
Protecting California’s public lands from oil and gas drilling is defending public health
Federal plans for oil drilling along a million acres in California would change healthful, wild spaces into sources of pollution and illness.
Joe Burrow: Breaking NFL Records & Joining the Elite
In Joe Burrow's 75th career game, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback threw for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win over the Miami Dolphins
The Kennedy dynasty: the future of America's most famous political clan
All you need to know about the family’s younger generation
The Philip Rivers comeback was wasted time for the Colts
Despite the best efforts of Philip Rivers, his comeback did not help the Colts' playoff aspirations.
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.
Durant out, D-Backs cash in, Mercury rise
Arizona sports fans saw surprises, stumbles and standout moments in 2025.
A year of vetoes, lawsuits and loss in Arizona politics
From Charlie Kirk's killing to shutdown fights, 2025 set the stage for a wild Arizona midterm.
Asheville Museum of Science to be featured on 'World's Greatest!' TV series
The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) will soon be featured on an upcoming episode of the television series "World's Greatest!"
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.
I Tried Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold and Z Fold 7. Here's How the Foldable Phones Differ
Does Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold stand a chance against the lightest book-style foldable phone of the year? Let's compare the two.
Why Sports Is The Fastest Way To Break CTV’s Programmatic Ceiling
Programmatic media buying is expected to account for the majority of growth in the CTV market in 2026. This year alone, over 90% of CTV ad dollars were transacted through programmatic pipes. That data isn’t surprising. Programmatic has solved a real problem by helping brands reach TV viewers with targeted precision at much lower costs. […]
Year in Review: A Look Back at Local Sports in 2025
Well, it's that time again. This will be my 35th Year in Review column, and 2025 gave me plenty to review.
2025 was the year Xbox died
The Xbox brand effectively died this year. But can it be resurrected as a PC platform?
Opening of three new businesses in one week is a step in the right direction
The opening of three businesses with Santa Fe ties this week was a small victory, but it was a victory nevertheless.
Amazon's chief security officer says the tech giant blocked over 1,800 suspected North Korean agents from applying for jobs
Stephen Schmidt said AI and machine-learning roles have been increasingly targeted by fraudsters due to high demand.
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.
The Morning After: The best games of 2025
The biggest news stories this morning: US bans new foreign-made drones and components, Paramount has an updated Warner Bros. Discovery bid.
A new matcha pop-up opens in Des Moines
Matcha Luv is a locally owned matcha pop-up.
A Quarter Of American Families Face Financially Overwhelming Medical Expenses
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, Dec. 23, 2025 (HealthDay News) — More than 1 in 4 Americans are struggling with financial toxicity, with big medical bills dragging down both their money and their health, a new study says. Nearly 27% of U.S. residents faced high medical expenses or ...
Former WALB reporter inducted into Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
WALB congratulates Pam Oliver on her well-deserved induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
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.
Venue Adjustments for Intermountain Health Freestyle International Presented by Stifel
PARK CITY, Utah (Dec. 23, 2025) — U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced updates to the Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel, originally scheduled to take place at Deer Valley Resort. Due to unseasonably warm weather, both the aerials and moguls World Cup events will be moved.
New Jersey Science Olympiad Tournament Coming in January
In January, NJIT will host the New Jersey Science Olympiad tournament, at the university's Campus Center Ballroom and Makerspace.
Expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies to raise health insurance costs for thousands
WCIV ABC News 4, Charleston, South Carolina provides coverage of local and national news, sports, weather and community events in the region, including North Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Summerville, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Rantowles, Cottageville, St George, Moncks Corner, Jacksonboro, Ravenel, Cottageville, Walterboro, Sullivans Island, Dewees Island and Folly Beach.
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.”
A Look Back at 2025 in Indiana Politics
From government reform to new data centers, we look back at 2025 in Indiana politics.
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.
2025: Wealthtech that Helps Advisors Expand Their Business
Startups develop advanced AI and tech solutions for financial advisors, moving past simple automation to enhance business capabilities
MIT scientists strip cancer of its sugar shield
Scientists at MIT and Stanford have unveiled a promising new way to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Their strategy targets a hidden “off switch” that tumors use to stay invisible to immune defenses—special sugar molecules on the cancer cell surface that suppress immune activity. Early tests show it can supercharge immune responses and outperform current antibody therapies.