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FanDuel Sports Network might be done…
What you need to know about the existential threat facing the Milwaukee Brewers’ network TV provider
Xiaomi's New 17 Ultra by Leica Phone Looks and Acts Like a Real Camera
Xiaomi really care about photography.
Film premiere, 'Cats,' youth theater, food celebrity visit among 2025's entertainment highlights
Lancaster and the surrounding areas: you did it again.
Has ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Gone ‘Overboard’ This Christmas? Fans Debate
‘Surely they can find someone with good taste to decorate,’ one viewer ranted.
Donald Trump Gets Lowest Kennedy Center Honors Ratings Ever: Report
Despite Trump’s boasts, the broadcast’s ratings reportedly dropped 35 percent from last year’s record low.
Donald Trump Gets Lowest Kennedy Center Honors Ratings Ever: Report
Despite Trump’s boasts, the broadcast’s ratings reportedly dropped 35 percent from last year’s record low.
Barstool Sports founder raises nearly $500K for family of Del. trooper killed in DMV shooting
Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook is credited with protecting civilians during the deadly attack; he leaves behind his wife and 1-year-old daughter
‘Stranger Things’ Finale: Duffer Brothers Tease Massive & Emotional Series Ending
Matt and Ross Duffer tease what's in store.
‘Stranger Things’ Finale: Duffer Brothers Tease Massive & Emotional Series Ending
Matt and Ross Duffer tease what's in store.
Everybody's Business: The Year, According to Tracey Alloway, Felix Salmon, and Robert Smith
Listen Everybody's Business Podcast
Little-known Texas law could help keep health insurance premiums low when federal subsidies expire in a few days
Texas is one of a few states that have this law, giving residents under the Affordable Healthcare Act a little more flexibility.
Sweet entertainment
Rooted School at SUNO recently hosted a holiday party for its students and staff featuring cookie decorating, a gingerbread house competition and a community sing-along. The school also partnered with
2025’s Biggest Political Losers
It was a rough year for a lot of people in Washington. But few had as bad a 2025 as Elise Stefanik and Andrew Cuomo.
2025 Turned Trump’s Biggest Strength Against Him
As usual when Donald Trump occupies the White House, 2025 condensed a decade’s worth of political upheaval into a single year. Identifying the most important of those developments is like picking through the wreckage to find a few family heirlooms after a tornado has torn through the neighborhood.
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.
I took Amtrak's 27-hour train ride from D.C. to New Orleans. Here's how it went.
Visitors are in for sunset views and a charming atmosphere aboard The Crescent train ride.
Honeybee business stung by multiple crises for South Carolina beekeepers
A York County beekeeper saw his business take off in less than a decade. But the honeybee population is struggling in South Carolina and across the nation.
Xiaomi's 17 Ultra Leica Edition smartphone comes with a manual zoom ring
Xiaomi just launched its flagship 17 Ultra Leica Edition phone that may make you feel bad about your current device's cameras.
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.
Christmas loss reveals Lakers have problems that need fixing
With the Lakers now on their longest losing streak of the season, some tough questions are about to be asked.
New Mexico Wellness Wire: Rural health care funds
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last week awarded $20 million in grants to 32 rural health organizations across New Mexico.
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.
Rec + Relax entertainment complex advances toward construction
After more than a year of planning, revision and delays largely unseen by the public, the Rec + Relax entertainment complex in Lufkin is moving closer to construction, with key
Rockets-Lakers takeaways: L.A. certainly doesn't have the look of a title threat
Minnesota vs. New Mexico: Rate Bowl Staff Predictions
Let’s end the season on a positive note
'India Cured Me': NRI Returns After 10 Years, Criticises US Healthcare System
An NRI living in the US for 10 years returns to India, praising Indian healthcare and highlighting the high costs and complexity of the US system.
Major entertainment stories of 2025
Gwen Baumgardner looks back at some of the major entertainment stories.
US struck Islamic State targets in Nigeria after group targeted Christians, Trump says
A Defense Department official, who insisted on animosity to discuss details not made public, said the U.S. worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes, and that they'd been approved by that country's government.
Latter-day Saint Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland hospitalized due to 'ongoing health complications'
Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been hospitalized for treatment of "ongoing health complications,"
Does science agree it’s better to give than receive? A doctor explains
Gift-giving is often framed as a source of stress and obligation, but a growing body of research suggests there may also be something beneficial about giving itself.
Tribe prioritizes doing business with Cherokees
The Cherokee Nation offers bidding preference to more than 1,000 certified Native-owned businesses through its Tribal Employment Rights Office, more commonly known as TERO.
19 states sue to block Kennedy's plan to curb trans care
The lawsuit says Kennedy exceeded his legal authority.
Entertainment group closes out year with open mic night at Little Jamaica
444Force Entertainment hosted its final event of the year with an open mic night that brought together music, poetry and creative expression at Little Jamaica, a restaurant and lounge that
Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Scathing Christmas Day Message: ‘Tyranny Is Booming’
'We won, the President lost...'
Family business shares tradition of holiday tamales
Nietos Mexican Cuisine is a mother-daughter business that started from humble beginnings. We caught up with the duo to talk about the tradition of holiday tamales.
Mexico’s year in review: The 10 biggest news and politics stories of 2025
As we did at the end of 2023 and 2024, Mexico News Daily looked back at the past 12 months and selected 10 news and politics stories that we believe were among the biggest of 2025.
BNP leader Tarique Rahman returns: Who is Bangladesh’s potential next PM?
After 17 years in exile, the 'prince' of Bangladesh politics returns to Dhaka. Can he bring the BNP back to power, too?
A surprising brain cleanup reduced epileptic seizures and restored memory
A new study suggests temporal lobe epilepsy may be linked to early aging of certain brain cells. When researchers removed these aging cells in mice, seizures dropped, memory improved, and some animals avoided epilepsy altogether. The treatment used drugs already known to science, raising the possibility of quicker translation to people. The results offer new hope for patients who do not respond to existing medications.
Astronomers discover one of the Universe’s largest spinning structures
Scientists have discovered a giant cosmic filament where galaxies spin in sync with the structure that holds them together. The razor-thin chain of galaxies sits inside a much larger filament that appears to be slowly rotating as a whole. This coordinated motion is far stronger than expected by chance and hints that galaxy spin may be inherited from the cosmic web itself. The finding opens a new window into how galaxies formed and how matter flows across the Universe.
Kaballos Demolition Makes Way for Possible New Business | Geauga County Maple Leaf
Kaballos Mexican Restaurant was gutted by a fire the morning of April 13, 2025, leaving a blackened shell in the center of Middlefield Village’s largest commercial district. Last week, demolition of the charred structure on 0.8 of an acre at 15585 W. High Street began with giant green containers parked on the snowy asphalt parking
The video games you may have missed in 2025
Date a vending machine, watch intergalactic television and make the most out of your short existence as a fly. Here are the best games you weren’t playing this year
Passaic ShopRite sold as Latino pioneer exits NJ grocery business
Rafael Cuellar bought the supermarket, his second in Passaic, 20 years ago. The sale is expected to close this month.
Cold health alert and weather warnings issued for parts of UK on Christmas Day
Organisers of some Christmas Day and Boxing Day swims have cancelled events due to the weather.
More House Republicans are leaving Congress to run for governor than in decades amid frustration over ‘toxic environment’
Congressional Republicans have yet to break the record for most retirements in a single year, but some say it’s only a matter of time before widespread frustration with the current state of Washington leads to a tipping point as many in the party head for the exits.
Bangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman returns after 17 years in exile
This is a breaking news story.
Amazon’s After-Christmas Sale Is Stocked With Outdoor Gear Deals Up to 70% Off—Shop Cotopaxi, Osprey, and More
Amazon's after-Christmas sale is filled with incredible deals on hiking and camping gear from Osprey, Cotopaxi, The North Face, and more top brands up to 70 percent off. Upgrade your outdoor gear with high-quality tents, camping chairs, hiking boots, and more—starting at just $4.
New album releases from artists with East Tennessee ties
We start with the Sedonas. If there were ever any doubt that the band ranks among East Tennessee’s most potent and proficient acts, those questions are erased by its new
The Herald's weekly entertainment picks
Looking to be entertained from Thursday, Dec. 25, through Wednesday, Dec. 31? Check out the Skagit Valley Herald’s weekly recommendations.
Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky to be delisted on January 1, 2026 for PS4 in Japan, January 5 for PS Vita
Spike Chunsoft will delist the digital version of tri-Ace-developed RPG Exist Archive: The Other Side of the Sky for PlayStation 4 on January 1, 2026 at 00:00 JST in Japan, and for PS Vita on Janua…
Bausch Health (BHC) Is Up 5.3% After US$1.6 Billion Debt Exchange - Has The Bull Case Changed?
Bausch Health Companies recently completed fixed-income exchange offers, issuing US$1.60 billion of new 10.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 to refinance existing senior secured notes under Regulation S and Rule 144A. This large-scale refinancing reshapes the company’s debt profile and may influence how investors assess its balance-sheet resilience and long-term obligations. Next, we’ll examine how this large US$1.60 billion debt exchange reshapes Bausch Health’s investment narrative and...
Business: Oregon jobs projected to increase 6% by 2034
The Oregon Employment Department projects Oregon’s total employment to grow by 141,000 jobs between 2024 and 2034.
Scientists found a way to restore brain blood flow in dementia
A new study suggests that dementia may be driven in part by faulty blood flow in the brain. Researchers found that losing a key lipid causes blood vessels to become overactive, disrupting circulation and starving brain tissue. When the missing molecule was restored, normal blood flow returned. This discovery opens the door to new treatments aimed at fixing vascular problems in dementia.
New technology eliminates “forever chemicals” with record-breaking speed and efficiency
A new eco-friendly technology can capture and destroy PFAS, the dangerous “forever chemicals” found worldwide in water. The material works hundreds to thousands of times faster and more efficiently than current filters, even in river water, tap water, and wastewater. After trapping the chemicals, the system safely breaks them down and refreshes itself for reuse. It’s a rare one-two punch against pollution: fast cleanup and sustainable destruction.
How author David Baldacci and his wife are working to counter toxic political discourse
Moment of Science: Year in Review
Whether you’re old school, new school, or out of school, it’s always good to learn something new.
Lessenberry: A fateful year awaits in Michigan politics
LANSING — Well, it’s Christmas, and I hope everyone reading this, whatever your beliefs may be, is having a wonderful and relaxing day. While this isn’t ...
Resident shares concerns over possible entertainment district for downtown Oxford
OXFORD — There was a light agenda for the Oxford City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Against Iran’s politics of exclusion, pluralism is the point
There is a cruel ritual in Iranian opposition politics: some voices abroad constantly interrogate the “purity” of activists inside—why they did not speak more sharply or endorse maximalist slogans, why survival itself looks insufficiently heroic.
Penguins prospect selected for Team USA’s World Junior team
Will Horcoff, the Penguins’ 24th overall selection in the First Round of the 2025 NHL Draft, will compete for Team USA for the tournament, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Minneapolis.
Waymo is testing Gemini as an in-car AI assistant in its robotaxis
Waymo is testing a Gemini-powered in-car AI assistant, per findings from a 1,200-line system prompt. The assistant can answer general knowledge questions, control certain in-cabin features, and more.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans React to Contestant’s ’Tough’ $40,000 Loss
Did you solve this trick puzzle?
Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leads And Samsung To Follow With A 10 Percent Price Hike For Its Galaxy S26 And Z Fold/Flip 8 Series
Xiaomi is currently acting as a vanguard by hiking the launch price of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra by 10 percent, with Samsung and Apple to follow.
$8 gasoline, a convention center remake, robotaxis: San Diego business stories to watch in 2026
U-T business reporters say these are the key San Diego business stories they are tracking in 2026.
The Year in Entertainment 2025: The TV that was top
The small screen took us everywhere from the shores of Cousins Beach to the emergency room at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center this year. Here's a look at the shows and limited series that defined 2025:It was the medical procedural drama The Pitt that scored the top prize at the Emmys this year. Led by Noah Wyle, who won the best actor in a drama Emmy for his portrayal of Dr. Robby in the new series, The Pitt's first season followed the challenges faced by health care workers on the front lines over the course of a single, 15-hour shift at the hospital. Other big winners at the ceremony included Seth Rogen's new comedy series The Studio, as well as the Netflix limited series Adolescence.Many prestige shows captured the cultural zeitgeist in 2025. Fans traveled to Thailand to check in for season 3 of The White Lotus, while the mystery at Lumon Industries continued to unfold as Severance season 2 rolled out. The Last of Us viewers mourned a fan-favorite character during its sophomore season, while Star Wars fans returned to a galaxy far, far away to bid farewell to Andor as it debuted its second and final season.Nobody could stop talking about The Summer I Turned Pretty. Whether you were team Conrad or team Jeremiah, fans couldn't keep their eyes off the dramatic third season of the teen romance series, which spanned from the U.S.'s East Coast all the way to Paris. While the series ended with Belly finally picking which brother she wanted to be with, the story isn't quite over. A feature film that will end the romantic saga has been greenlit by Prime Video.Finally, the year ended with the release of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. It turned Netflix's streaming records upside down, accumulating 59.6 million views in its first five days and becoming the best-ever premiere week viewing numbers for an English-language series on the streaming platform.Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Great Lakes Science Center to hold STEM programming; announced new board chair
The Great Lakes Science Center will host science, technology, engineering and mathematics programming in December and January.
Movies and TV shows casting across the US
Backstage compiled a list of movies and TV shows casting across the US.
The 10 Most Compelling Sports Stories of 2025
From the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance to multisport gambling scandals to a truly epic World Series, this year has been quite a ride.
Sanofi to Buy Dynavax to Boost Vaccines Business
Sanofi to Buy Dynavax to Boost Vaccines Business
'Palace fight will have delighted Glasner'
Former Crystal Palace forward Glen Murray says Oliver Glasner will be "delighted" with the spirit shown by his side despite their Carabao Cup quarter-final exit on Tuesday evening. The Eagles fought back after Maxence Lacroix's late own goal to equalise deep into stoppage time and force penalties away at Arsenal, before the Gunners eventually progressed by winning the shootout. "When you take into consideration the way they lost the game at the weekend against Leeds, coming away to the Emirates in the quarter-final of a cup competition and digging in in the manner that they did showed character," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
Letters: Lawmakers should work to help small business
As a small business owner, I believe it is critical that we have a seat at the table when our elected officials are deciding policies that affect our businesses, our
Holiday crowds boost business across Berks County
From the Peanut Bar to the American Diner, restaurants and other businesses in Berks County look forward to serving customers through the holidays.
Waymo explains why its robotaxis clogged San Francisco streets during a power outage
Waymo says the San Francisco power outage overwhelmed its robotaxis at scale, creating a backlog that led to response delays.
Brinc Drones CEO on Business Outlook
Blake Resnick, Founder and CEO of Brinc Drones, discusses his outlook for business growth and opportunities as the US Federal Communications Commission moves to block foreign-made drones and critical components for unmanned aircraft systems. He speaks with Annabelle Droulers and Avril Hong on "Bloomberg: The Asia Trade". (Source: Bloomberg)
Ohio health department investigates Legionnaires’ outbreak at Christ Hospital
Three deaths reported among six cases since October
Ventura council rejects ‘entertainment zone’ designation, will reevaluate next year
Ventura City Council was split on the idea of establishing an “entertainment zone” designation for downtown Main Street, which would allow open containers of wine, beer and spirits along Main
Year in Review: A great year for entertainment in NH
It’s been a year of milestones, achievements and unforgettable moments in New Hampshire’s arts and entertainment scene.
WHO updated recommendations on HIV clinical management: recommendations for a public health approach
This document provides an overview of the updated World Health Organization recommendations for HIV clinical management, which focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, preventing vertical transmission, and enhancing tuberculosis prevention among individuals with HIV. These updates are intended to support global initiatives aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Key changes include the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs and regimens, revised postnatal prophylaxis and breastfeeding guidelines for managing infants at risk of vertical transmission, and the endorsement of shorter tuberculosis preventive treatments to improve efficacy and adherence. The recommendations are designed to simplify and advance HIV care, promote equity, and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. The updated guidance will be incorporated into the forthcoming revision of the antiretroviral therapy chapter within the Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery, and Monitoring: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
Mexicans Valeria Páez and the Cueva twins claim Panam Sports Junior Awards
Mexico’s Mía and Lía Cueva and Valeria Páez collected major honors at the Panam Sports Junior Awards this week.
Brooks Koepka leaves LIV Golf, potential PGA Tour return uncertain
The five-time major winner will leave LIV Golf after three-plus years; majors are still in play
Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18 aspect ratio when open. Samsung has used a similar size for its prior Z Fold devices.
One big question: What was the biggest challenge of 2025 for Louisiana businesses?
We asked four experts from different corners of the state with different backgrounds: What was the single biggest challenge for business in 2025?
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...
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.
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.”
‘Wheel of Fortune’: Ryan Seacrest Hugs Firefighter After Agonizing $114,000 Loss
The contestant spoke out about the moment.
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.
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.
Economic growth surges in late summer, the highest in two years
“This was the strongest six months of growth since late in 2023, but it certainly didn’t feel that way for most people,” one analyst said.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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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