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Kratom and 7-OH products are widely available. They’re also at the heart of a public health debate. : Short Wave
Kratom and 7-OH products are available in many smoke shops. But earlier this year, the FDA recommended certain 7-OH products be scheduled alongside opioids. This isn’t the first time kratom has come under scrutiny. Nearly a decade ago, the DEA wanted to make certain active ingredients in kratom controlled substances. Meaning products would go from being widely available to highly restricted. After a massive wave of protest, the DEA decided not to move forward. Producer Rachel Carlson joins host Emily Kwong to talk about what could happen this time around, and what scientists know – and don’t know – about kratom and 7-OH. Interested in more of the science behind drugs and supplements? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Call this 49ers’ stunning, surprising season what it is, ‘Mission: Improbable’
After a dozen San Francisco 49ers wins, with Sunday’s see-saw victory over the Bears perhaps their most memorable yet, the Niners could earn a flight-free playoffs on Saturday. Whodathunkit?
Sony's January 2026 PlayStation Plus Games Update Leaves Fans Anticipating the Reveal
Sony has revealed a shift in the PlayStation Plus free games roster for January 2026 with fans eagerly waiting for the list.
Free dental care restores health and confidence for Amarillo man
Months of dental care built through community work is helping one man move forward and regain health.
Takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Zelensky in Florida
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded freezing, missile-tormented Kyiv on Sunday for the frescoed dining room at Mar-a-Lago, where he hoped to gain President Donald Trump’s sign-off on a revised 20-point peace plan to end the war in his country.
Submit to the will of the Omnissiah for a free miniature this month, and covertly acquire a Deathwatch coin
Your free miniature and coin this month.
How Trump is leveraging sports and sports culture for his political brand : Consider This from NPR
President Trump is using his position to access sporting events across the country and embed himself with teams and fans. And he’s leveraging sports and American sports culture to build up and amplify his political brand. NPR’s Tamara Keith speak with Christine Brennan, a longtime sports columnist and author, about the president and the significance of his strong ties to sports.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins, Dana Farrington and Rebekah Metzler. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
How Trump is leveraging sports and sports culture for his political brand : Consider This from NPR
President Trump is using his position to access sporting events across the country and embed himself with teams and fans. And he’s leveraging sports and American sports culture to build up and amplify his political brand. NPR’s Tamara Keith speak with Christine Brennan, a longtime sports columnist and author, about the president and the significance of his strong ties to sports.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins, Dana Farrington and Rebekah Metzler. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
T-Mobile Customers, Don’t Forget Apple TV Costs $3 Monthly On January 1st
The Apple TV “On Us” benefit, which was originally free with some T-Mobile postpaid accounts, will now cost an extra $3 per month on your T-Mobile bill unless cancelled.
Streamers like Disney+ and HBO Max have a key problem with no clear solution
Free streamers like YouTube have gained viewers, while growth at paid services like Disney+ and Netflix has slowed.
Siena ended up millions of dollars in debt on 'debt-free' science building
Siena University is posting a multimillion-dollar deficit this year, while also managing an unexpected new loan.
Polls open in Myanmar as military stages first election since 2021 coup
UN, human rights groups and opposition parties say political process exercise is not is not free, fair or credible.
Drop those free apps — own Microsoft Office for just $35
A productivity suite for real grown-ups.
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Saturday, Dec. 27
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Legislators move to protect free speech in schools
The bill would take effect before the next academic year.
Open Thread: December 27, 2025
The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods you’d totally do a movie marathon night with: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, […]
Skyrim Meets Stardew Valley in New Free RPG, Out Today
Ethernia is a new pixel-art fantasy RPG that's available from today on PC via Steam for free.
Samsung Smart TV Owners Get Hundreds Of Channels For Free - Here's How
With the preinstalled Samsung TV Plus app, you can access nearly 700 live TV channels and over 1,000 movies, including exclusive content, for free.
Entertainment: Milwaukee’s Zoo Is Free This Weekend
Plus: A chance to visit The Domes after dark.
Why This 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Needs A New Battery: P1AA700 Issue Explained
Some early-model 2025 Ioniq 5s may experience charging issues. Don't worry, though: The fix is usually a free battery replacement.
I've traveled to 16 countries with my guide dog. He gives me freedom, but sometimes strangers make me want to stay home.
My guide dog helps me travel the world as a fully blind person. I don't take it for granted, but the hardest part is dealing with people's ignorance.
Year in review: Trump's foreign policy : The NPR Politics Podcast
Editor's note: This episode originally aired on December 16, 2025.As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we explore what President Trump's administration has done in terms of foreign policy, and what might be expected in the coming year.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and 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.
Central Michigan vs Northwestern live updates in GameAbove Sports Bowl
The Central Michigan Chippewas are playing the Northwestern Wildcats in the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit.
DHDC offers Free First Monday, Girls Who Science programs
Enjoying science just got easier as DHDC strives to meet people's budgets to start the new year.
Almost half of the top MLB free agents remain unsigned
The Cubs still have plenty of time to put one (or more!) of these players under contract.
Whiskey, Soup, Parody and Politics: Lessons from Two Key District Court Trademark Decisions of 2025
This year started with a district court decision defining the parameters of parody and trademark infringement and ended with a case that could have taken the overlap of parody and political free speech to a new level, had it not settled.
Stardew Valley Gets Free Switch 2 Upgrade That Doubles Coop
Also: the first Nicolas Cage Madden trailer has been unleashed
Arc Raiders Battle Pass 2 - All Goalie Raider Deck Rewards
Here's everything you can earn in the new free Raider Deck.
CMU vs Northwestern preview and prediction for GameAbove Sports Bowl
Central Michigan looks to finish its season with a bowl win over Northwestern at Ford Field.
Why scientists are catching whale breaths....with drones : Short Wave
Scientists in the Arctic are catching the exhaled breaths of whales to better understand their health. How? Drones. Whales breathe through their blowholes, which are the equivalent of nostrils on their heads. By studying the microbes in exhaled whale breaths, scientists are piecing together how deadly diseases spread in whale populations. Host Emily Kwong and producer Berly McCoy talk to All Things Considered host Juana Summers about what scientists can do with this information, from reducing stress on whales and monitoring ocean health to warning people who could be in close proximity to whales carrying zoonotic diseases. Interested in more science on charismatic megafauna? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
Why scientists are catching whale breaths....with drones : Short Wave
Scientists in the Arctic are catching the exhaled breaths of whales to better understand their health. How? Drones. Whales breathe through their blowholes, which are the equivalent of nostrils on their heads. By studying the microbes in exhaled whale breaths, scientists are piecing together how deadly diseases spread in whale populations. Host Emily Kwong and producer Berly McCoy talk to All Things Considered host Juana Summers about what scientists can do with this information, from reducing stress on whales and monitoring ocean health to warning people who could be in close proximity to whales carrying zoonotic diseases. Interested in more science on charismatic megafauna? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
PlayStation Plus Free Games Lineup For January 2026 Is Bleak
PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers may face a disappointing January 2026 lineup as new changes roll in.
A Christmas message
Jonathan Freedland and the Politics Weekly America team are taking a break this week, but will be back with a new episode in the new year
Local business owners serve free Christmas meals to Jackson’s unhoused
Two local business owners teamed up to offer hundreds of meals to those in need this Christmas Day.
Orioles get new update on Ranger Suarez's free agency
Baltimore could use more pitching.
PlayStation Plus Free Game Is an Underrated 25-Hour Open-World RPG
This underrated PlayStation Plus open-world RPG could be the perfect thing to play this festive break, lasting 25 hours.
Breaking free from ESG: Financial investment and politics don’t mix
The quiet retreat from ESG and DEI activism is more than a shift in corporate trendlines. It’s a course correction and a return to disciplined, fiduciary-based stewardship.
Jeff State, Shelby Chamber, 58 Inc. partner for free business leader training
The training opportunities are scheduled to take place in January 2026.
Year in review: Trump’s environmental policy : 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 how America’s stance on environmental policy has shifted under the second Trump administration and what the potential impacts could be.This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, climate correspondent Michael Copley, and automotive and energy correspondent Camila Domonoske.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and 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.
Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition now available
Stardew Valley – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is now available via Nintendo eShop for $14.99. Users who own the Switch version can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition via a free “Upgr…
Politics, violence, creeping authoritarianism and those who opposed it: 2025 year in review
I joined the Minnesota Reformer in April in a more regular capacity, as a photographer and social media runner, thanks to a grant from the Bush Foundation. I’ve been a freelancer for the past five years, and this is my first time belonging in some way to a newsroom since internship-hopping in college. It was […]
I refuse to use a new Android phone without installing this free app first
It fixes Android's biggest everyday usability gap
Black men's mental health explored in Pulitzer-winning Detroit Rep play
Through the power of friendship, we are able to see the power in ourselves. This is the message of playwright Eboni Booth’s lovely “Primary Trust.”
Free rural business accelerator launches in Central Valley 2026
Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation (CCT) is launching a new program aimed at spurring growth for rural entrepreneurs and small business owners starting in 2026.
Year in review: Trump, gerrymandering & redistricting : 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 explore how President Trump pushed Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps with the hope of getting more Republican members of the House of Representatives, and how that led to an escalation of partisan gerrymandering throughout the country.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and 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.
Your TV's USB port has a forgotten feature that can revitalize an old system for free
Updating your TV's firmware can boost performance and fix bugs - even without internet.
3 Rams make PFF's top free-agent signings list
Les Snead and Sean McVay did a great job finding talent in free agency in 2025.
Samsung's latest Odyssey gaming monitor has a 32-inch 6K screen with glasses-free 3D
Ahead of CES 2026, Samsung has unveiled a number of impressive gaming monitors including a couple of "world's first" models.
21 Nintendo Switch Games Are Yours For $1 in 99% Discount, Save $300
This Nintendo Switch bundle will see you bag 21 games for almost nothing, consider it free
Marvel Rivals - The Super Hero Team-based PVP Shooter
Play for free Now!! Get ready to Ignite the Battle with Marvel Rivals!
Experts who once backed 'shaken baby' science now fight to free imprisoned caregivers
A growing number of medical experts and law enforcement officials are reversing testimony that put parents behind bars. But they face an uphill battle.
From AI to Venezuela: Why 2026 is a hinge year for global power
One year ago this week, Joe Biden was president. I was in Doha, Qatar, negotiating with Israel and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The incoming Trump team worked closely with us, a rare display of nonpartisanship to free hostages and end a war. It feels like a decade ago. A lot can happen in a year, as 2025 has shown.
Grotmas Calendar Day 24 – Da Red Gobbo’s big heist
Will you be naughty or nice in this free battleplan?
Science funding was hit in 2025. What does that mean for the future? : Consider This from NPR
2025 was a hard year for science. The Trump administration upended federal funding for all kinds of scientific pursuits, slashing budgets across agencies like NASA, NIH and NOAA. NPR's Rob Stein and Katia Riddle spoke to scientists and officials who worry that those cuts could cause the United States to lose its competitive edge as a global hub for research and innovation, and steer future generations away from careers in science. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Michael Levitt, with audio engineering by Zo vanGinhoven. It was edited by Sarah Handel, Scott Hensley and Amina Khan. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
The iPad-like OnePlus Pad Go 2 is now available for $399 with free stylus or case
The holiday shopping season is just about over, but if you’re still looking for an easy gift — for you...
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
Vermont Department of Mental Health offers free training for clinicians to address problem gambling issues
When Vermont legalized sports betting, it allocated funds to address problem gambling issues. The Department of Mental Health is now expanding those services.
From 'One Battle After Another' to 'Regretting You,' 25 movies to stream now
Need movies to see this holiday break? Watch these 25 at home now, including "One Battle After Another." All are free on your streaming services.
Gridlock dotted with bipartisan breakthroughs in divided Legislature
The first divided Michigan Legislature in years stands out as historically unproductive. Despite some bipartisan action, gridlock looms over the year.
Vote now for the Freep Buffalo Wild Wings Girls Athlete of the Week
Players from Orchard Lake, Milford, Birmingham Groves and Center Line are finalists for the Freep Buffalo Wild Wings Girls Prep Athlete of the Week.
'The ambition around the club feels different now'
Ethan Ampadu was immense, setting the tempo from the back and leading like a proper captain, calm in possession but aggressive when it mattered. The atmosphere lifted every time he stepped in to break up play. The free transfer signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin already looks inspired.
A cheaper, easier-to-use version of Wegovy is coming to the US soon
Wegovy's new pill has been approved in the US, offering a needle-free option with a lower starting price than injections.
Surviving the family dinner: Why you should never discuss politics or holes in jeans
Writer Kymberly Foster Seabolt explores the beauty of "last" holidays, passing down family recipes, and the simple rules for a joyful, drama-free Christmas.
Entertainment vs. reality: How media glamorizes opioids and warps teens' perception
Opioids are often shown in movies, music, and social media as party drugs, symbols of fun, rebellion, or a carefree lifestyle. Instead of highlighting the real dangers of addiction, withdrawal or overdose, entertainment culture turns powerful and deadly substances into aesthetic props. This glamorized image shapes how teens and young adults think about opioids, making […]
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Fantasy Football 2025: Waiver wire, Week 17 championship edition
Wading into the free agent pool for roster help
Best Of: What Beards Tell Us About Power, Politics And How We See Each Other : 1A
Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president to sport a beard. For the next 50 years, whiskers were commonplace in the White House. But then, they went out of style.Now, Vice President JD Vance is the first executive branch leader in more than a century with a furry face.And others are following suit. From the Senate to the campaign trail, more and more men in politics are letting their facial hair grow free. But what does that tell us about masculinity, power, and how we see each other?Why did our politicians remain bare faced for so long? And what does the reemergence of whiskers in the White House represent?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Pillen halts freeze on Business Innovation Act funding
After a review of the program, Gov. Jim Pillen said he will ask the Legislature for an increase in funding for the Business Innovation Act, from $12 million this fiscal year, to $15 million next year.
RWJBarnabas Health’s Monmouth Medical Center and Seaview Orthopaedics Partner with Operation Walk USA
Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, and Seaview Orthopaedics, a partner practice of RWJBarnabas Health, teamed up to give the gift of mobility to two Jersey Shore residents this holiday season through Operation Walk USA, a nationwide initiative that provides free joint replacement surgeries to uninsured patients in need.
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Monday, Dec. 22
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Year in review: Congress' successes & failures : 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 what lawmakers were able to get done -- or not -- in 2025, and how that may influence their 2026 agenda.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith.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.
The Epic Games Store is giving out free PC games daily for the holidays
The Epic Games Store is currently giving away a PC game every day during its holiday sale.
Gov Sanders rejects demand from legal group to undo Christmas closure: 'I will do no such thing'
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders fires back at religious freedom group over new Christmas proclamation controversy, defending state office closures.
iPhone Fold’s key display breakthrough may still be in flux, per leak
A new leak indicates a key feature of the iPhone Fold’s display—its crease-free design—is still very much in flux within Apple.
The art of the hook: How Simon Squibb redefines influence
British entrepreneur Simon Squibb made his fortune — then amassed legions of followers by giving away sharp business advice for free.
My family's holiday budget is smaller than I'd like. Here's how I'm making sure the season is still magical for us.
My family's holiday budget is smaller this year. I'm making sure the season still feels magical through decorations, free events, and homemade gifts.
Marvel Rivals - The Super Hero Team-based PVP Shooter
Play for free Now!! Get ready to Ignite the Battle with Marvel Rivals!
Marvel Rivals - The Super Hero Team-based PVP Shooter
Play for free Now!! Get ready to Ignite the Battle with Marvel Rivals!
Mahmood Mamdani’s 'Slow Poison' centers politics of belonging in postcolonial Uganda : NPR's Book of the Day
Mahmood Mamdani — a professor of government at Columbia University and the father of Zohran Mamdani, NYC’s next mayor — has spent decades researching colonialism and its effects on the African continent. His work is both political and personal, influenced by his own experience in Uganda as an exiled citizen deemed nonindigenous by colonial structures. In today’s episode, Mamdani talks to NPR’s Leila Fadel about his newest book, Slow Poison, an account of colonial legacy in Uganda, the rise of the country’s modern autocrats, and the politics of belonging that surround it all.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
If not pet, why pet shape? Science says raccoons aren't quite there : Short Wave
Dogs are man’s best friend. And it’s no secret that we at Short Wave love cats (Regina has four)! Both of these iconic pets have been domesticated – evolved and adapted to live alongside humans – for millennia. And a recent study suggests that the common raccoon may be on its first steps towards joining them. So how do scientists look for signs of domestication and what do those signs mean? And could you have a litter box trained raccoon in your lifetime? We talk to the study’s lead author, Raffaela Lesch, to find out.Interested in more animal science stories? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.
New York parents say kids 'freeze' on mandated electric school buses during brutal winter weather
Parents in western New York report heating problems with mandated electric school buses, claiming children come home cold after rides in freezing weather.
When do Detroit Lions play next? Week 17 game vs Vikings on Christmas
Detroit Lions next game will be on Christmas Day vs Minnesota Vikings, one of 3 NFL games on Christmas. Here's start time, TV channel and streaming.
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. …
Scott’s Addition parking enforcement changes spark mixed reactions from residents, business owners
New parking enforcement measures will begin Jan. 5 in Scott's Addition, with timed-parking zones in high-demand commercial corridors while residential blocks maintain free parking. Residents and business owners expressed mixed reactions, with many worried the changes will make parking more difficult for people visiting breweries and restaurants.
Epic Games Store expands mystery free game lineup with an acclaimed hit
A new Epic Games store mystery free game is now live, and it's an acclaimed survival title with arcade-style gameplay. This freebie, Sorry We're Closed, will remain available to claim for a very limited time, expiring in 24 hours.
Sunday Science: Why do bridges freeze first?
Whether precipitating or not, it's always important to have a sense of road conditions whenever the temperature heads below freezing. You've likely seen the sig
Amazon's 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Is Now $58 — Just in Time for Christmas
This tablet comes with a mouse, stylus, Bluetooth keyboard, and free shipping.
Hidden seismic signals hint at a tsunami threat in Alaska
Researchers studying a massive landslide in Alaska have detected strange seasonal seismic pulses caused by water freezing and thawing in rock cracks. These faint signals could become an important early clue to changes that might someday trigger a dangerous landslide-driven tsunami.
Michigan high school boys basketball: Top players for 2025-26 season
Here are 25 of the top boys basketball players for the 2025-26 season in Michigan.
Steam Drops Brand New Free Game With 100% Positive Rating
A brand new free game that has just launched on Steam this weekend has accrued 100% positive ratings.
Packers' sideline heaters mysteriously go out on freezing night in Chicago in loss to Bears
As expected in December, it's cold in Chicago. Especially for the Packers.
ENTERTAINMENT: Museum sets sessions for kids; Steinway honors piano teacher
The Rogers Historical Museum and the Rogers Public Library are offering "Museum and Me," an hour-long, free, once-a-month program at the museum for children 3-5 that helps foster interest in history, reading and museums.
Vermont high school sports scores, results, stats for Saturday, Dec. 20
Vermont high school sports scores and results as reported to the Burlington Free Press sports department.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis has opened Pandora’s box with its free gift
Now that I know Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is bringing back old Lara Croft outfits, I’m going to need the following five classic looks.