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College of Business pilots service-learning in curriculum
MGT 321 students apply business communication skills through a service-learning component supporting local nonprofits and campus partners.
Japan’s Viral Horse-Racing Video Game Has Players Flocking to Real-Life Stables
With more than 30 million downloads, Umamusume: Pretty Derby has generated anime adaptations, live concerts and a new legion of racetrack fans.
2025 in Review: ORNL’s Top Science News Stories
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory marked another year of research driven by innovation and collaboration in 2025, as reflected in the laboratory’s most-read stories. The year’s top story announced two new AI supercomputers, establishing ORNL’s vital role as part of DOE’s Genesis Mission, a national initiative to accelerate science through artificial intelligence.
Legislature approves no new business subsidies in 2025
A first for the Mackinac Center’s scorecard
NM Sports Hall of Fame names its next inductees
An Olympic medalist, football and basketball legends and record-setting coaches to be honored.
Jim Cramer on International Business Machines: “It’s Still Cheap”
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer discussed along with macroeconomic conditions. Cramer called the company stock cheap despite a noteworthy run, as he stated: “I also asked if some of the legacy tech giants, like Cisco and IBM, could continue the better performance they’ve been putting up, and I’m […]
How will college sports look by 2050? Big changes are ahead for URI
Shane Donaldson: "[URI is] trying to create new revenue streams to keep up in the landscape. How possible is that?"
I'm a 14-year-old founder whose YC application went viral. There are pros and cons to starting a company young.
14-year-old Alby Churven founded Clovr. He told Business Insider his age gave him a "wow factor" but limits his "legitimacy."
Striking Legacy Clinicians Reject Tentative Agreement Between Union and Health System
Health System says contract is “materially consistent” with its pre-strike offer.
A Bronzeville Kwanzaa event celebrates Black business owners -- We’re carrying on a legacy’
On the second day of Kwanzaa, a vendor fair supported a pickle connoisseur, Gen Alpha lemonade-makers and other Black entrepreneurs in Chicago.
Ohio State vs. Miami: 2003 Fiesta Bowl that changed college football
Ohio State and Miami meet in college football's postseason for the first time since the 2003 BCS National Championship
Oregon Nurses Association rejects contract offer, extends strike against Legacy Health
Advanced practice providers represented by the Oregon Nurses Association rejected the tentative agreement reached with Legacy Health reached Dec. 23.
Advanced practice providers reject tentative agreement with Legacy Health
Old Dominion ready for test against Maryland
Old Dominion coach Mike Jones returns to his stomping grounds when his team faces Maryland on Sunday night in College Park, Md.
A-Mountain Sports will 'conclude' being NMSU NIL collective
To "remain competitive in the new collegiate athletics landscape", NMSU says A-Mountain Sports will cease being its official NIL collective.
Allegheny County implementing involuntary outpatient mental health care services
Officials were motivated by people's calls for helping someone before they reach the legal threshold of being a danger to themselves or others.
Former Worcester public health commissioner Leonard Morse dies at 96
Morse said the most notable event of his career was an investigation of a hepatitis A breakout that hit the College of the Holy Cross football team in 1969.
Legislators move to protect free speech in schools
The bill would take effect before the next academic year.
Legion Go systems joins MSI and ASUS with Xbox Full Screen Experience
Legion Go update enables Xbox Full Screen Experience Legion Space version 1.3.4.9 is rolling out with Windows Full Screen Experience (FSE) compatibility,
Ethics investigations, scandals plague Colorado Capitol
Over the course of the year, a series of investigations, allegations and controversies emerged at the state Capitol, drawing scrutiny to the behavior of elected officials and, in some cases, overshadowing policy debates. Here are some of the notable investigations, stories and accusations to come out of Colorado’s latest legislative session. Sonya Jaquez Lewis In […]
Letters to Sports: Playing the blame game in USC-Notre Dame debacle
Readers of the Los Angeles Times Sports section share their thoughts on the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, the Rams, UCLA, Angels and college football.
Colorado Politics in focus: the year’s top in-depth cover stories and series
In 2025, Colorado Politics went beyond the daily headlines, delivering in-depth reporting on the major issues shaping the state — from congressional action to legislative proposals to the urban-rural divide and the future of Colorado’s economy. Here’s a look at some of the top cover stories and special projects from 2025: State of the State: […]
What college football bowl games are on today? Full schedule, TV, kickoff times for December 27
It's a full morning-to-night slate of eight matchups featuring five ranked teams.
Georgians deserve health care access. Medicaid expansion is one solution.
Legal challenges to Georgia's Medicaid procurement process are delaying access for residents to quality, affordable health care in the Peach State.
When Politics Isn’t Your Career: The Blessings of YWA Post-Graduation
When I moved to the Washington, D.C. area for college, I thought I knew where I was headed. If I didn’t get married right after college, I would girlboss (in a conservative tone, of course) my way into a conservative advocacy organization or some D.C. politician’s office, fight for America in a way only a […]
Before ‘SNL,’ there was Sid Caesar and a roomful of Jewish writers
Legendary Jewish comedian Sid Caesar dominated the television screen beginning in the 1950's and left a lasting mark on American showbusiness as we know it.
Allegheny County to implement involuntary outpatient mental health care services
Dalton and other human services officials explained the county’s reasoning during an interview Tuesday with Pittsburgh’s Public Source.
The man Apple sued for allegedly stealing trade secrets is back with iPhone Fold renders
Jon Prosser is back with more renders; this time they give us a sneak peek of the iPhone Fold.
Restaurants announced for Legends Entertainment Complex
Construction on the complex continues.
Small Town Politics: WALB investigates allegations of election fraud; several South Georgia counties being investigated by the state elections board
Across South Georgia, small town politics can divide communities, neighborhoods, and even families. That’s why we are launching a new segment...Dedicated to uncovering and unpacking stories about local corruption, confusion, and conflicts. Beginning in the city of Nicholls where the November election led to a recount.
Recap: The Best Integrated and Elegant Sports Watches of 2025
From accessible steel to haute horlogerie, the integrated sports watch evolves again. And here are the best ones of 2025.
The Family Stone Band, Joelle James highlight Sunday’s gameday entertainment
The Family Stone Band will take the stage at Allegiant Stadium for halftime, while Joelle James will perform the National Anthem.
Maine stops payments to healthcare provider amid fraud allegations
The move came the same day Gateway Community Services was flagged as potential targets of a welfare fraud investigation.
Kenneth Shepard’s Top 10 Games Of 2025
How many times am I allowed to put ‘Running around with Mega Raichu in Pokemon Legends: Z-A’ on here?
Missouri sportsbook promos: Earn 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
2025-26 college football bowl confidence picks, predictions, computer rankings
SportsLine's model simulates every game 10,000 times and reveals bowl confidence pool and CFP picks
Let's Debate: 9 Best College Football Players Entering the Transfer Portal
FOX Sports' college football experts examine the top players headed to the transfer portal this season.
Fake Science Is Growing Faster Than Legitimate Research, New Study Warns
New research reveals organized networks linking paper mills, intermediaries, and compromised academic journals
College football bowl and CFP picks, predictions: Legendary Vegas expert reveals best bets for today
SportsLine CFB expert Bruce Marshall reveals his betting guide for every College Football Playoff and bowl game
The 20 best college towns across the US, ranked
WalletHub ranked over 400 cities based on affordability, social scene, and academic opportunity. These are the top 20 best college towns in the US.
Bowl game schedule today: Previewing the three college football bowls on Dec. 26
Three bowl matchups comprise the college football schedule for the final Friday of the year. We break down each of the contests on Dec. 26.
At Bernell’s, blues and women’s sports share the stage
Rita Adair and Dan Resnick blend a legacy of blues music with a space to watch women’s sports in the former Red Rooster building in Madison.
How AI Is Changing College Majors In 2026 - Computer Science, Data Science, Information Science, Statistics - North American Community Hub
How AI is changing college majors in 2026, covering computer science, data science, information science, and statistics careers.
I left my dream job as a trial attorney and pivoted into AI at age 40. It showed me the power of leaving my comfort zone.
Aurora Bryant, 40, stopped practicing law to work for Relativity, an AI-powered legal data intelligence company. She said it paid off.
100 Tennessee vs. Illinois simulations predict a close Music City Bowl
We're back to see EA Sports College Football 26's game prediction for Volunteers football vs. the Fighting Illini at Nissan Stadium.
Unions sue Baltimore City for refusal to negotiate health benefits
Baltimore City’s major unions sued the city, alleging it is refusing to negotiate aspects of health benefits in violation of a 2022 ordinance.
Tata Steel Says NGO Seeks $1.6 Billion for Alleged Health Damage
A Dutch nonprofit is seeking €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in compensation from Tata Steel’s Netherlands units, alleging that harmful emissions from its operations have caused environmental harm and health damage to nearby residents.
The Top 10 political developments in Florida in 2025
Choosing the top political stories in an “off year” when no statewide elections took place is challenging — although jockeying for the 2026 elections is well under way. Property taxes and gun rights, meanwhile, have emerged as issues likely to dominate the 2026 legislative session, which kicks off in a little more than two weeks. […]
I started jewelry brand after high school instead of going to college
Kiana Mei, 20, runs a jewelry brand and opted out of college. It's tiring, isolating work, but she says she doesn't regret it.
How 2 men behind the Critical Role machine plan to turn the nerdworld royalty into a legacy brand
Ed Lopez and Ben Van Der Fluit were early executives on the Critical Role team. They helped the eight cofounders build a nerdworld empire in 10 years.
Yankees News: Bombers remain confident regarding Bellinger
Yankees feeling confident regarding Bellinger; Torpedo bats, Schlittler’s legend highlight top Yankees moments from 2025; Yankees miss out on another top reliever.
Proposal would end in-play sports bets in New York
Yet another piece of legislation has been introduced seeking further limits on sports betting in New York state. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-New York City, recently introduced legislation (A.9343) that would no longer allow casinos and mobile sports betting platforms to accept in-play wagers. In-play sports betting, also known as live betting or in-game betting, is…
Proposal Would End In-Play Sports Bets In N.Y.
Yet another piece of legislation has been introduced seeking further limits on sports betting in New York state. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-New York City, recently introduced legislation (A.9343) that would no longer allow casinos and mobile sports betting platforms to accept in-play wagers. In-play sports betting, also known as live betting or in-game betting, is […]
Loon center welcomes new director of science and conservation
SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation announced Monday the appointment of Lizz Schuyler as senior director of science and conservation. A native New Yorker, Schuyler grew up in the Pottersville/Schroon Lake area. She attended State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry for her undergraduate degree and then earned […]
A small business owner in Kansas City has created a legal option for street racing
At illegal side shows or street takeovers, drivers show off their skills and their cars. Now a side show advocate in Kansas City says he's created a legal way that drivers can take part.
19 states sue to block Kennedy's plan to curb trans care
The lawsuit says Kennedy exceeded his legal authority.
The Guardian view on May 2026 elections: a new political geography is coming into view across Britain
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look at the impact of devolution on growing volatility of party political allegiance
Racing against time: Inside a Nahant genome bank’s bid to save marine diversity before it’s lost
The Ocean Genome Legacy Center and other biorepositories like it are increasingly crucial to climate change research as global warming threatens marine species.
2025-26 college football bowl confidence picks, predictions, computer projections
SportsLine's model simulates every game 10,000 times and reveals bowl confidence pool and CFP picks
College Football Playoff naughty, nice list: Good, bad for quarterfinal teams in bracket
The good and bad for each squad still vying for the national championship
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 […]
This Two-Faced Watch Band Lets You Hide an Apple Watch Under Your Rolex
The $418 Smartlet literally bridges the gap between your elegant analogy and your nerdy smartwatch.
Northwestern-Central Michigan GameAbove Sports Bowl picks, odds
USA TODAY's college football experts lock in their picks for the 2025 GameAbove Sports Bowl on Dec. 26.
Local Politician Jim Mueller Leaves Lasting Legacy in Russell | Geauga County Maple Leaf
When Jim Mueller first heard President John F. Kennedy say, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” it not only sparked a lifelong commitment to public service, but also shaped Geauga County — and national — politics for more than four decades, he said during
All in the family: In 2026, a surge of politicians' kids are running for office
As voters clamor for change, a new generation of Pelosis, Kennedys, Kings and other powerful families are stepping up to keep their political legacies alive.
Sports/Rec calendar: Dec. 26–Jan. 4, 2026
Upcoming recreation opportunities and college and prep sports
Pediatrics group sues HHS for cutting funds for children's health programs
The suit alleges HHS made the cuts in retaliation for the doctors' group speaking out against the Trump administration's positions and actions.
10-Leg NFL Christmas Parlay for the Holiday Weekend
Looking to make the NFL Christmas action more entertaining? Here's a 10-leg parlay that FOX Sports Research put together.
WDAM 7’s weekend sports offerings include college football, NBA basketball
WDAM 7’s weekend sports offerings include college football, NBA basketball
Orlando Pirates academy product secures fresh PSL move
ExclusiveBucs academy graduate joins new PSL clubPhoto: Orlando Pirates @ XFoot Africa understands that Orlando Pirates academy product Katlego Cwinyane has signed for Betway Premeirship outfit Orbit ...
Two arrested in Spanish Fork over alleged drug sales from local business
A married pair of business owners who live in Payson are facing several charges after police say they discovered them selling illegal products out of their home.
Man accused of robbing multiple people at gunpoint in Macomb County business
A Macomb County man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly robbing several people at gunpoint.
College Football Playoff odds, picks, predictions for remaining bowl games
CBS Sports experts Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer reveal their picks for the playoff quarterfinals and the rest of bowl season
College football bowl game odds, 2025-26 CFP picks, bets, predictions from proven model
SportsLine's model has revealed best bets for bowl games and College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups
Madeleine’s Shin Splint Scare Leads to Leg-Saving Play at MU Health Care
Madeleine cherished the camaraderie of college soccer, but recurring injuries — including a chronic stress fracture in her right tibia — ultimately ended her career and required surgery during Thanksgiving break in 2022. A surgical complication involving a nerve block caused severe damage, leading her surgeon to refer her to MU Health Care’s Limb Preservation Program.
The 6 big Wisconsin political stories to watch for in 2026
From legislation to upcoming elections and court decisions, here are six issues to watch in 2026.
After decades in St. Paul, trailblazing lawmakers reflect on what’s changed for women in politics
Sens. Sandy Pappas and Ann Rest watched as women went from being relegated to the sidelines to leading caucuses and top committees at the Capitol.
Asian Legal Business Again Recognizes Ning Zhang Among the Top Dealmakers in Asia
Partner Ning Zhang has been named to Asian Legal Business’s 2025 Dealmakers of Asia list. This marks the third consecutive year he has been recognized among the region’s most influential and accomplished legal professionals who have made significant contributions to the dynamic landscape of Asian business law and are shaping the future of dealmaking across the continent.
Ohio health department investigates Legionnaires’ outbreak at Christ Hospital
Three deaths reported among six cases since October
Editorial: Property tax politics
Ohio lawmakers have put their stamp on property tax reform with five bills signed into law Friday by Gov. Mike DeWine. Legislators from both parties ...
State Department imposes sanctions on former EU official, disinformation group leaders for ‘censorship’
The US State Department on Tuesday imposed visa sanctions on a former top European Union official and employees of organizations that combat disinformation for alleged censorship – sharply ratcheting up the Trump administration’s fight against European regulations that have impacted digital platforms, far-right politicians and Trump allies, including Elon Musk.
Plant science with a twist
From morning glories spiraling up fence posts to grape vines corkscrewing through arbors, twisted growth is a problem-solving tool found throughout the plant kingdom. Roots “do the twist” all the time, skewing hard right or left to avoid rocks and other debris. Scientists have long known that mutations in certain genes affecting microtubules in plants can cause plants to grow in a twisting manner.
Hays businesses allegedly scammed out of $5,000 in online purchase
Courtesy of Pixabay By TONY GUERREROHays PostA Hays business was alleg
College business storylines I’m tracking heading into 2026
College Football Playoff expansion is just one of a few storylines worth tracking heading into the New Year during a chaotic period for the enterprise.
Martinis, seafood, and a plastic cup: See some of the zanier expenses at the center of JPMorgan's latest dispute with Charlie Javice
JPMorgan no longer wants to pay Charlie Javice's legal bills. Inside the latest dispute between the bank and the startup founder convicted of fraud.
Rozier lawyers move to dismiss betting charges
Terry Rozier attorneys say the government overstepped when it accused his client of wire fraud stemming from his alleged involvement in a sports betting scheme and is asking a federal judge to dismiss the charges.
Sports marketing veteran to join NMSU as first Executive-in-Residence
New Mexico State University’s College of Business will welcome its first Executive-in-Residence in spring 2026, bringing marketing veteran and former Aggie student-athlete John Cordova in for...
Maine's got game: Sports stories that made headlines in 2025
From pro teams to the college scene, it’s been a bustling year for the sports business in Maine.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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