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Golden Globes podcast category is controversial for so many reasons
Golden Globes have introduced a new podcast category, although right-wing personalities such as Ben Shapiro were shut out of the first-ever nominees.
Rep. Torres seeks additional regulations for prediction platforms
Rep. Ritchie Torres introduced the legislation after an anonymous bet was placed hours before the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Brownsville police introduce 'impact team' as part of crackdown in entertainment district
Brownsville police have launched an
Dave Walls introduced as WDBJ7 sports director
Southwest Virginia TV veteran Dave Walls is WDBJ7’s new sports director, making his debut Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Accel Entertainment Evaluates Chicago Market Opportunities Following City’s VGT Announcement
CHICAGO, January 08, 2026--Accel Entertainment, (NYSE: ACEL) ("Accel" or "the Company"), a leading locals-focused gaming operator partnering with small businesses, local communities, and state governments to provide entertaining, convenient, and safe gaming experiences nationwide, is evaluating the potential to bring its distributed gaming and local entertainment model to the city of Chicago following recent public announcements regarding the possible introduction of Video Gaming Terminals ("VGT
YouTube will let you exclude Shorts from search results
YouTube introduced some new filters to its advanced search tools today.
MoviePass Is Betting Big on Entertainment Gambling
The company’s Mogul app will introduce pop-culture heads to the wonderful world of sports betting.
Superconductors, an opportunity for science and society
Superconductive technologies have long been central to particle physics, but they have also repeatedly moved beyond the laboratory, most notably with the emergence of magnetic resonance imaging scanners (MRI), demonstrating how breakthroughs in fundamental research can benefit society. Today, as global energy, climate and healthcare pressures grow, the conversation is shifting from “What can science give to society?” to “How can science and industry jointly develop technologies that benefit society while advancing research?” The event “Catalysing Impact – Superconductivity for Global Challenges” held at CERN in December was aimed precisely at answering this question. The workshop brought together leading researchers, industry representatives, investors and policymakers to explore how collaboration on superconducting technologies can advance particle physics while addressing some of the world’s most pressing societal challenges. The event sought to bridge fundamental research with real-world deployment and to accelerate collaborative pathways. Across keynotes, panels and round tables, participants examined both the current technological landscape and the opportunities ahead. Introducing the discussions, Frédérick Bordry, Chief Technology Officer of the Gauss Fusion company and former CERN Director for Accelerator and Technology, noted that “Superconductivity has become the silent engine of discovery science.” While the research community needs more capable and more resilient superconductors for the next generation of experiments, they also have significant potential for societal applications. Beyond their role in collider magnets, high-temperature superconductors (HTS) now promise lossless power transmission, compact fusion magnets, efficient renewable systems and new capabilities in healthcare, transport, computing and quantum technologies - all aligned with SDG-17’s emphasis on partnership-driven innovation. Participants also stressed that major hurdles remain. Global competition is accelerating, and Europe must act quickly to secure technological and economic leadership. Doing so will require coordinated investment and supportive policies, including stronger risk capital investment and mechanisms to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial deployment. The summit set in motion several concrete follow-up priorities, including aligning R&D roadmaps with societal goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals; making it easier for public–private consortia to build demonstrators that serve both industry and research needs; and advancing investment pathways that better connect research institutions, governments and the private sector. A series of interviews of key participants is available here: Frédérick Bordry & Milena Roveda Mike Lamont Francesca Ferrazza Peter Schroth Ziad Melhem Pietro Corsaro
Business Journal Introduces Sponsor an Issue Opportunity
The Business Journal is offering companies a new advertising option designed to deliver broad exposure across its multimedia platforms.
Lip-Bu Tan Says They 'Over-Delivered' On 18A Timeline As Intel Shows Off Next Gen Panther Lake AI Laptop Chips At CES 2026
On Monday, Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) used the CES 2026 stage to showcase Panther Lake, its next-generation AI laptop processor, as CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the company has not only met but exceeded its long-promised 18A manufacturing milestone. Intel Puts 18A Manufacturing To The Test Intel formally introduced Panther Lake, its latest AI-focused laptop chip family, at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, marking the company's first high-volume product built using its 18A manufacturing process. Tan said th
Expired certificate completely breaks macOS Logitech apps, user customizations
Even with a fix available, broken apps won't be able to update themselves.
U.S. rolls out new dietary guidelines backing more protein and full-fat dairy
The Trump administration scrapped the MyPlate visual guide, introducing a redesigned food pyramid that emphasizes protein, dairy and healthy fats.
Introducing Listening Activity and Request to Jam in Messages on Spotify
We know people use Spotify not just to listen, but to share the songs, podcasts, and audiobooks they love with their friends and family. When we launched Messages last year, we gave users a place to do that right in the app. Since then, almost 40 million users have sent nearly 340 million messages, showing...
Former Colorado wildlife director heads to Wyoming
Jeff Davis, the former director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife who oversaw the introduction of wolves in Colorado, is headed to Wyoming, where he will take on a new job as deputy director for that state’s game and fish agency. The Polis administration replaced Davis as head of Colorado Parks and Wildlife after Washington’s wildlife […]
Lego introduces ‘smart bricks’ with sound and light effects to new Star Wars sets
But some argue new ‘Smart Play’ technology undermines the Danish construction toy’s gift for harnessing a child’s own imagination
This 16-inch laptop is so light I can easily lift it with three fingers
Asus is introducing an ultra-light Zenbook A16 to accompany its refreshed A14 model.
The ASUS Zenbook Duo got a fantastic redesign for CES 2026
Two years after introducing its first dual screen laptop, ASUS is giving the Zenbook Duo the major revamp it deserves.
Zurich + Players Health offer injury insurance for NIL era of college sports
In a new era for college sports, Zurich North America and Players Health, a leading provider of athlete safety and insurance solutions, have teamed up to introduce a first-of-its-kind Critical Injury Protection Insurance solution for colleges, universities, collectives and their student athletes who receive name, image and likeness (NIL) payments. The new insurance protects these institutions' financial investments in top student-athletes in the event the athlete suffers a season-disrupting inju
Alliance Entertainment Launches Alliance Authentic™, Introducing The Ultimate Vinyl Collectible™ and a New Marketplace for Authenticated, Numbered Vinyl Collectibles
PLANTATION, Fla., Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AENT), the world’s largest distributor of vinyl records and a leading curator of physical entertainment products and collectibles, today announced the official launch of Alliance Authentic™, a new premium platform built to create authentic, certified, investment-grade vinyl collectibles and a trusted marketplace where collectors can buy, sell, and trade them globally. Alliance Authentic allows
California bill increases penalties for fake liens used to harass politicians, businesses
A California lawmaker introduced a bill Monday to crack down on fake liens filed against politicians, court employees and businesses that can force victims to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees to clear their names and repair their credit.
NVIDIA announces DLSS 4.5 at CES 2026
Just like last year, NVIDIA has used some of its time on the CES stage to introduce an upgraded version of its real-time image-upscaling technology.
Sleek New Android Phone Comes With Features Google's Pixel Can't Match
There's a new, affordable Android phone coming out in 2026 that has a host of intriguing features Google's Pixel 10 lineup can't match.
MSI Introduces a Breakthrough PC Building Ecosystem at CES 2026
This year at CES 2026, MSI proudly unveils a new generation of PC hardware designed to inspire industry professionals and enthusiasts with innovative solutions that make building, upgrading, and personalizing systems more accessible and exciting than ever before. From a new line-up of motherboards, ...
TCL unveils its X11L SQD-Mini LED TVs at CES 2026
TCL introduced the next entry in its flagship line of mini LED televisions during CES.
LEGO SMART Bricks introduce a new way to build -- and they don't require screens
LEGO developed a custom ASIC chip that allows its new SMART Bricks to pick up on signals from surrounding SMART Tags that dictate how it should make sounds or light up.
Introducing LEGO SMART Play: The Most Exciting Evolution in Screenless Play Ever
LEGO SMART Play is here, but what is it? LEGO SMART Play is a new innovation in LEGO builds, bringing light, sound, and immersion to sets.
Amazon perks up after introducing Alexa.com
Amazon (AMZN) stock rose 2% after Amazon launched Alexa.com, expanding Alexa+ AI across devices.
Introducing Alexa.com, a completely new way to interact with Alexa+
From quick answers to completed tasks, Amazon now offers an AI assistant experience across voice, mobile, and web.
Sandisk retires WD_BLACK and WD Blue branding, launches Optimus SSD tiers for 2026
Sandisk rebrands WD Blue and WD_BLACK SSDs as Optimus, GX, and GX Pro Sandisk used CES 2026 to introduce "Sandisk Optimus" as the new umbrella name for
10 Famous Celebrities And Their Forgotten First Cars
From David Beckham's Ford Escort Mk5 to Taylor Swift's pink Chevy Silverado, these are a few famous examples of celebrities' first cars.
You Can Switch HDMI Inputs Using Your Apple TV Remote - Here's How
Though Apple TV provides quality entertainment, the remote has one issue: an inability to switch HDMI inputs. Fortunately, here's a trick to get around that.
5 Of The Most Overlooked Free Apps Actually Worth Installing
Yuka, Transit, MyNoise, Listonic, and Merlin Bird ID are five of the most overlooked free apps that are actually worth installing on Android or iOS.
CES 2026: Govee Announces New Matter-Connected Ceiling and Floor Lights
Govee today introduced three new HomeKit-compatible lighting products, including the Govee Floor Lamp 3, the Govee Ceiling Light Ultra, and the Govee Sky Ceiling Light. The Govee Floor Lamp 3 is the successor to the Floor Lamp 2, and it offers Matter integration with the option to connect to HomeKit. The Floor Lamp 3 offers an upgraded LuminBlend+ lighting system that can reproduce 281 trillion colors, and it supports 1000K to 10000K light temperature range.
Introducing the 2026 ‘Beyond the Scale: Addressing Louisiana's obesity epidemic'
In 2026, Louisiana Health will launch "Beyond the Scale: Addressing Louisiana's obesity epidemic." This series will shine a spotlight on one of Louisiana’s biggest wellness issues and the efforts required
The Rare British Roadster That Helped Inspire The Mazda Miata
Modestly powered and fun to drive, the Lotus Elan was the inspiration behind the Mazda Miata, and it came to life because of automotive journalist Bob Hall.
Can You Use Apple CarPlay Without Cell Service?
Apple CarPlay comes in handy during your travels, but will it work when you don't have cell service? Here's everything you need to know.
4 Cheaper Alternatives To The MacBook Pro Actually Worth Buying
If you want MacBook Pro specs without the heavy price tag, these options are worth considering.
Say Goodbye To Fossil Fuels With This Gas Alternative Without Petroleum
Though our cars still need gas, they may not need petroleum for much longer; Aircela has found a way to create gas from the air itself.
What Happens To Your TV When You Leave It On All The Time
Keeping your TV on all the time may quickly wear out internal components or cause screen burn-in. In addition, it can add up to a higher electric bill.
Are Samsung Phones Better Than Google? What Consumer Reports Data Says
Between two flagships, both Samsung and Google were rated excellently by Consumer Reports for this year's smartphones. Here's why Samsung's offering is better.
10 Of The Coolest New Gadgets You'll Want For Your Desk
These cool gadgets can help turn a standard workstation into a setup that gets you excited to start your day.
Exploring Area15’s new interactive entertainment offerings
Area15 introduced us to fall’s attraction of the season, Universal Horror Unleashed, but even more experiences have rolled out since then.
xAI Adds Grok Business Options as it Tries to Win Enterprise Customers
xAI has introduced two new subscription tiers of its Grok artificial intelligence chatbot aimed at business customers. The announcement is part of xAI’s effort to build an enterprise business to compete with the likes of Anthropic and OpenAI. The new offerings include Grok for Business, which is aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses and costs $30 per user per month, and Grok Enterprise,
Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing". TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more affordable MacBook, which is expected to be equipped with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip.
State officials move to ban paper straws at restaurants, citing 'concerning health risks'
A bill introduced in Florida takes aim at paper drinking straws and stirrers at food businesses and restaurants.
5 Reasons To Buy Your Electronics From Costco (Instead Of Amazon)
Stop scrolling Amazon and start shopping Costco. From superior warranties to unbeatable return policies, here are 5 reasons to buy your tech at the warehouse.
Stay active in the new year with Apple Watch
Apple Fitness+ is introducing new programming to help users to stay active and motivated to kick off 2026.
Introducing the Yankees Birthday Series
Every new day, a future big leaguer is born somewhere. In 2026, we’ll discuss one such past Yankee from their rich history.
AirPods Pro 3 have a powerful new health feature, here’s how to use it
AirPods Pro 3 introduce a powerful health feature not found in their predecessor: heart rate sensing. Here’s how to use it.
4 Ways Your Apple TV Is Changing In 2026
A new Apple TV 4K could offer faster RAM and CPU, a more powerful chip, and improved connectivity if Apple delivers this upgraded model in 2026.
Game of the Year 2025
We've approached DAY 3 of Giant Bomb's Game of the Year deliberations! We've got a PACKED AND STACKED day for you before we get to the Top 10. Today we discuss the Best Moment/Sequence, Boomer Game of the Year, Best Friendslop, Best Cat from CATS, and DISSAPPOINTMENT of the Year! Premium Timestamps: 0:00:00 Intro 0:02:36 Best Cat from Cats 0:06:48 Best Friendslop 0:18:15 Best New Website 0:19:19 Boomer Game of the Year 0:47:11 Disappointment of the Year 1:37:11 Best Comeback 1:51:28 Best Roguelike 2:18:28 Best Moment/Sequence 3:22:58 Winners Recap and Outro
Did reintroducing Wolves to Yellowstone really cause an ecological cascade?
Previous research on the effect of wolves on the food web has been criticized, raising questions about the predator’s role in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
10 Major Smart Thermostats Ranked From Worst To Best Based On User Reviews
A thermostat is the kind of appliance that many smart home enthusiasts look forward to upgrading, but picking one that suits your needs isn't easy.
TCL introduces its own take on a color Kindle Scribe
TCL has announced the Note A1 NXTPAPER, a note-taking tablet using the company's custom LCD screen technology.
11 Factory Cars That Can Hit 60 MPH In 3 Seconds Or Less
Cars from Tesla, Chevrolet, Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, and Lucid are on the list of 11 factory-mades that can hit 60 mph in 3 seconds or less.
Bill would increase closed captioned movie screenings in Michigan
A Michigan lawmaker introduced a bill to increase the number of closed captioned movies that theatres are required to offer.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to introduce Zohran Mamdani at New Year’s Day inauguration
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration will feature Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the two most prominent leaders of the Democratic Party’s progressive movement.
Business News January 2026
• The Agency is Expanding • Orangetheory Fitness Transformation Challenge • Weekend Warrior Home Decorating Classes • Introduction to Zen Meditation • Ready for a new car? • Cedar Mill Farmers Market
7 Of The Weirdest Cars Owned By Celebrities
Jay Leno's Morgan Three-Wheeler, George Clooney's Tango T600, Elvis Presley's Messerschmitt KR200, Janis Joplin's Porsche 356, Mick Fleetwood's London taxi.
Introduce new people to Warhammer, and help us reach a target of one million miniatures painted in 2026
Contribute and collect gifts at your local store.
What Does Jared Isaacman, NASA's New Administrator, Have Planned For The Beleaguered Agency?
After an initial failure to launch, billionaire Jared Isaacman has finally been confirmed as the new administrator for NASA
4 Apps Android Users Rarely Use (But Should)
While the Play Store is home to a variety of apps, here are some underrated gems like Nintendo Music, Apple TV, Blackmagic Camera, and more.
5 Cool Things You Didn't Know Your Amazon Fire TV Stick Could Do
If you've been using the Amazon Fire TV Stick just for entertainment, you might be missing out on features like secret shortcuts and Bluetooth connectivity.
The biggest entertainment and fashion moments of 2025, as seen in AP photos
Bad Bunny performs during the iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated 6:00 AM CST, December 4, 2025 For many, 2025 felt like a blur and that was true in the world of entertainment, which saw happy reunions, somber farewells and introductions to fresh voices and faces. Sabrina...
5 Underrated CarPlay Apps Most Drivers Are Missing Out On
Third-party CarPlay apps like Waze, Simple Radio, GasBuddy, and Weather on the Way all offer helpful alternatives to default apps and capabilities.
4 Exciting Smart TVs Coming Out In 2026
The 2026 TV lineup features the LG Micro RGB evo, Samsung's expanded Micro RGB series, and the flagship S99H OLED. See the top 4 TVs redefining entertainment.
In The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Getting Lost Is The Best Part Of The Drive
This is a car dedicated to driving, all other things be damned, and it's probably one of the last that'll ever do it quite like this.
This Odd Jeep Transmission Had Two Second Gears: Here's Why
Jeep's 545RFE automatic transmission had two second gears with different ratios. One of the "second gears" was for shifting up and the other for shifting down.
The Toyota MR2 Once Got A Sequential Manual Transmission That Made It Slower
Some Toyota MR2 models had a sequential manual transmission that was slow on upshifts. This made them slower than models equipped with a non-sequential manual.
3 Cheaper Alternatives To Spotify Premium You Should Switch To
Even long-time Spotify Premium users are now feeling the weight of the rising subscription cost, but you can try cheaper options like Qobuz, Bandcamp, and more.
Why Are Cars Getting Rid Of Android Auto?
In-car, smartphone infotainment systems are a pro for car shoppers, but not necessarily carmakers who'd rather keep your data all for themselves.
12 Tech Gifts Ideas That Older People Will Find Useful
If you're gift shopping for the older members of your family, tech may seem like a thorny prospect, but there are still some useful and accessible options.
New York to Introduce Mental Health Warning Labels for Social Media
New York has become the fourth state to require social platforms to carry the same type of health warning labels we know from tobacco products, following Colorado, Minnesota, and California passing similar laws in recent years.
5 Of The Most Reliable German SUVs, According To Consumer Reports
What are the most reliable German SUVs? According to Consumer Reports, models like the BMW X3, X5, X5 Plug-In Hybrid, X7, and Audi Q7 stand out.
5 Video Games From The 1990s That Aged Flawlessly
Even though they're decades old, these five games have managed to stay timeless and attract players to this day thanks to their great execution.
petgugu to Showcase Its AI-Driven Pet Health Ecosystem at CES 2026, Featuring the World’s First Self-Flushing Smart Cat Toilet
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- petgugu, a leading pet technology company focused on AI- and robotics-enabled intelligent care systems, will introduce its full AI Pet Health Ecosystem at CES 2026 (January 6–9, 2026), at Booth 53162 in the Venetian Expo Halls A–D. The ecosystem is designed to help families better understand and manage their pets’ well-being through continuous monitoring, data insights, and automated hygiene technologies. AI Pet Health Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Framewo
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.
Code Vein II character trailer
Bandai Namco has released a new trailer for Code Vein II introducing character Valentin Voda.
How Does Android's New AirDrop-Style Feature Actually Work?
Android's new AirDrop feature is built in Rust for better security, stems from an EU ruling that required Apple to open up AirDrop to third-party devices.
Stranger Things Season 5's New Romance Highlights One Of The Show's Biggest Problems
A moment between two characters in Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 once again underscores the silliness of a status quo decision.
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 […]
5 Of The Best Electric Vehicles Under $50k, According To Consumer Reports
Cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Mustang Mach‑E, and Nissan Ariya are among the best electric vehicles under $50,000, as shown by reviews from Consumer Reports.
My Most Anticipated Video Game Of 2026 Might Be This Simple Vibes-Based Lanesplitting Indie
"LANESPLIT" is a simple game from a one-person developer, and at my advanced age of 29 that's the kind of game I have the time and energy to play after work.
5 iOS 26.3 Features You Can Look Forward To In Early 2026
Apple keeps to a pretty consistent routine with regards to iOS updates; here's what's coming with version 26.3 in January or February.
Google May Soon Let You Change That Old, Silly Gmail Address
As per Google's support page in Hindi, you may soon be able to change the email address of your old Google account, which is a welcome feature.
WA students try out new tech at 'Hour of AI'
Microsoft's one-hour lesson in Bellevue aimed to introduce kids to fast-evolving AI and helping them use it responsibly.
Pixel Camera brings Photo Sphere-esque Panorama mode to Pixel 8
With the Pixel 9, Google introduced a new Panorama mode, and the latest Camera update brought it to the Pixel 8 series.
Georgia health officials map out $1.4 billion plan for new federal rural health funds
State officials have introduced a $1.4 billion plan to improve rural health outcomes over the next five years under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created as part of this summer’s budget reconciliation bill. In a 96-page application, officials from the state’s Department of Community Health requested funds to improve access to primary and specialty […]
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.
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
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.
Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce plan to look at concession prices at sports venues
Joe Gruters again seeks public smoking ban that covers marijuana, vaping
He reintroduced the bill days after Donald Trump rescheduled marijuana at the federal level.
The 5 Best Apple Products Of 2025
The iPhone 17 tops the list of our best Apple products of 2025. It's joined by the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple Watch SE 3, and more.