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I struggled to make it to the office due to day care drop-off, so my boss lets me work from home. I sometimes feel guilty about it.
Georg Loewen kept missing his train to work after day care drop-off. After talking with his manager, he was able to work from home.
Vote now: Would you rather have a $240K in-person job or a $120K remote one?
TikTokers have been debating two jobs: $120,000 for virtual work, or $240,000 for five days in-person. It's time to cast your vote.
Fake Science Is Growing Faster Than Legitimate Research, New Study Warns
New research reveals organized networks linking paper mills, intermediaries, and compromised academic journals
2025 Trucker of the Year finalists: Three independents push business forward
It's due time to celebrate what's been a year full of inspiring stories of triumph over adversity for Overdrive's Trucker of the Year contenders. Big congrats to all 10 competitors in the field, and especially this year's finalists, three independents at the top of their owner-operator business game.
Can NVIDIA's Networking Business Power the Next Phase of Growth?
NVDA's fast-growing networking business gains traction as AI clusters expand, driving record revenue growth and boosting margins.
‘Cocaine, gold and meat’: how Colombia’s Amazon became big business for crime networks
Armed groups have moved in to the space left by the Farc after the civil war, cutting down rainforest to control land and build thousands of kilometres of smuggling routes
Want Powerful Relationships At Work And Home? Start With Trust
Most people want powerful long-term relationships at work and at home. Turns out creating trust first unlocks solid relationships.
Eating more vitamin C can physically change your skin
Vitamin C doesn’t just belong in skincare products—it works even better when you eat it. Scientists discovered that vitamin C from food travels through the bloodstream into every layer of the skin, boosting collagen and skin renewal. People who ate two vitamin C–packed kiwifruit daily showed thicker, healthier skin. The findings suggest glowing skin really does start from within.
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.
Read the pitch deck Scribe used to raise $75 million to fix how companies adopt AI
Workflow software startup Scribe has raised $75 million and achieved unicorn status, as it aims to reimagine AI integration for businesses.
The scariest word this year for workers from DC to Silicon Valley
"Efficiency" defined the 2025 job market from the federal government to Silicon Valley.
A Grip on Sports: Whenever you think about those folks who have to work Christmas Day, don't forget the athletes who do so to entertain us
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh, yes. Thinking about gifts, Roberto Duran and the weekend’s TV schedule. Eclectic? Sure. Electric? Nope.
A nutritionist cut out ultra-processed foods 2 years ago. Here are the habits he kept, and the ones he ditched.
Over the past year, the nutritionist Rob Hobson has made two helpful tweaks to the way he plans and prepares his meals to work better with his busy schedule.
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.
Factory boss gives workers $240 million in bonuses after $1.7B sale of family company
'Acquiring Fibrebond’s innovative and customer-focused business is a game-changing move.'
A look back at the health trends that took over social media in 2025
From functional drinks and olive oil shots to McDonald’s ‘migraine meals,’ 2025 serves up plenty of of viral health trends - but do they actually work?
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.
Inside Iowa Politics: Issues to watch in 2026
Iowa lawmakers begin the 2026 session on January 12th with economic, health, education, and workforce questions to consider.
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.
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.
Downtown Colorado Springs brewery working toward "nice list" status after health dept. concerns
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A well-known brewery in Downtown Colorado Springs is working hard to get back on the “nice list” after a run-in with the
I cofounded my AI startup while on paternity leave. Here's how I balance work and being a dad.
Aaron Cannon thought up his startup, Outset, while on paternity leave. As his kid has grown up, so has the company.
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.
Striking Oregon, SW Washington health workers reach tentative deal to end walkout
The 140 advanced practice providers began their strike earlier this month.
Framework Announces Another Memory Price Hike; Says It Still Charges Far Less Than Apple
Framework has announced another price hike for DDR5 memories and has stated the reason in a new blog post.
'If She Knows, Run': Woman Doesn’t Know How to Open Door to McLaren. Her Date Calls It a ‘Green Flag’
A man says it was a 'green flag' that his date couldn't figure out how to open his McLaren's doors. So how do they work?
Family recycling business celebrates 40 years
A longtime Tucson recycling business, Recyco, is celebrating four decades of hard work and family tradition.
What Science Reveals About Money and a Happy Retirement
Whether you’re still planning or already retired, these research-based insights point the way to your best post-work life.
Gig work is evolving fast. See how drivers and delivery workers are trying to stay afloat.
Gig work for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and others has become widespread — and tricky to do profitably, gig workers have said.
Florentino Pérez: “We continue to work towards new triumphs”
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez sent his best wishes in the club’s usual Christmas round-up. Pérez was joined by Xabi Alonso, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde, Sergio Scariolo, Sergio Llull, Edy Tavares, Pau Quesada, Misa and Teresa. “From Real Madrid, we want to accompany you during these special holidays, and we send you our best wishes for […]
Full-length Replay: First Things First: OT
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes and OT anchor Danny Parkins offer their opinions on the day’s biggest sports stories.
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.
Scientists say evolution works differently than we thought
A major evolutionary theory says most genetic changes don’t really matter, but new evidence suggests that’s not true. Researchers found that helpful mutations happen surprisingly often. The twist is that changing environments prevent these mutations from spreading widely before they become useless or harmful. Evolution, it turns out, is less about reaching perfection and more about endlessly chasing a moving target.
How author David Baldacci and his wife are working to counter toxic political discourse
Oklahoma is one step closer to creating business courts
Business Courts are one step closer to becoming a reality in Oklahoma, after years of work from lawmakers, state leaders and a special task force. The hope is that business courts would alleviate some of the backlog from district courts.
Alameda Health System to Lay Off Hundreds in January After Massive Federal Cuts
The significant cuts to Medicaid caused by the Trump administration’s tax and spending bill are pushing Alameda Health System to lay off nearly 300 workers.
Charlie Loves Science: Reindeer food
Santa’s reindeer will be hard at work tonight, so be sure to leave them something yummy
VA in 2026 looks to get EHR rollout back on track, embark on health care reorganization
VA is planning for its new EHR from Oracle-Cerner to go live at 13 sites in 2026 — starting with four sites in Michigan in April 2026.
Obama Foundation partner expands vendor network for small businesses
Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative said more than 75 Chicago area organizations have joined its network to collectively negotiate service contracts, which will help lower costs.
'60 Minutes' segment on Trump immigration policy accidentally airs online
The segment featured interviews with migrants sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The segment was removed from Canada's Global Television Network but still appeared on its app.
Woman Suffers AI Psychosis After Obsessively Generating AI Images of Herself
A woman working for a generative AI image startup says the tech led her into a manic bipolar episode, which triggered psychosis.
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.
Google One is offering 50% off its 2TB storage and AI Pro plans right now
Only for new users, but there's a workaround.
AI's Big Red Button Doesn't Work, And The Reason Is Even More Troubling
"It's going to be really bad for humans."
Blackstone's CTO explains how he uses his 35-minute subway ride to stay sharp and upskill
John Stecher reads about technology in another industry on his daily subway ride to work and spends his weekends being hands-on with tools.
Gemini will let you keep working in other apps as it processes your request
You should soon be able to resume using an app after activating Gemini, without having to start over with Gemini from scratch.
Business Insider wants your nominations for its Rising Stars of Longevity 2026
Submit your nominations for Business Insider's 2026 Rising Stars of Longevity, spotlighting those doing impactful work in the aging space.
How Trump’s attacks on ‘climate alarmism’ have already transformed U.S. science
Experts say the cuts to the federal workforce and climate science funding could cause decades of loss in human knowledge and discovery.
Gloucester business to close after more than 100 years
Workers are told they will lose their jobs at a longstanding timber merchant.
Applications open for Adventist Health's new LAUNCH workforce development program for students
Adventist Health wants to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Bart Story, Longtime Entertainment Research Executive, Dies at 63
He worked for the VSDA and SAG before spending more than two decades at MarketCast.
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
Vikings claim former Colts backup QB off waivers
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings have claimed recently waived Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Brett Rypien off waivers, with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) already out this week: Before this past Monday’s primetime game, the Colts waived Rypien, who had previously been signed to the active roster a week prior to serve as […]
From AI to Venezuela: Why 2026 is a hinge year for global power
One year ago this week, Joe Biden was president. I was in Doha, Qatar, negotiating with Israel and Hamas to finalize a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The incoming Trump team worked closely with us, a rare display of nonpartisanship to free hostages and end a war. It feels like a decade ago. A lot can happen in a year, as 2025 has shown.
Full-length Replay: Big East Men's: Harvard at St. John's
The Harvard Crimsons play the St.John Red storms at the Queens for a non-conference showdown.
Bart Story, Entertainment Research Executive at SAG-AFTRA and MarketCast, Dies at 63
Bart Story, a veteran entertainment research executive who worked at SAG-AFTRA and MarketCast, died on Tuesday. He was 63.
Bart Story Dies: Veteran Entertainment Research Executive Was 63
Bart Story, a veteran entertainment research executive best known for his work at MarketCast and SAG-AFTRA, has died. He was 63.
Bart Story Dies: Veteran Entertainment Research Executive Was 63
Bart Story, a veteran entertainment research executive best known for his work at MarketCast and SAG-AFTRA, has died. He was 63. Story died on December 23, 2025, in Los Angeles from complications related to metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The executive spent more than three decades helping studios and streamers better understand audiences. Since 2003, he served …
US judge rejects business group's challenge to Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by the largest U.S. business lobby group to President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, saying it fell under his broad powers to regulate immigration.
Full-length Replay: First Things First: OT
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes and OT anchor Danny Parkins offer their opinions on the day’s biggest sports stories.
This tiny peptide could help stop brain damage after injury
A four–amino acid peptide called CAQK has shown powerful brain-protective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury. Delivered through a standard IV, it zeroes in on injured brain tissue, calming inflammation and reducing cell death while improving recovery. The peptide worked in both mice and pigs, whose brains are closer to humans in structure. Researchers are now preparing to move toward early human clinical trials.
Nevada Upgrades Business Licensing via ‘Orion’
Work on the new portal began in 2023, with the next phase scheduled for 2026. Nevada joins other states in setting up such portals for a variety of tasks, including accessing services such as unemployment benefits.
Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), which can be 3D printed to give you a rough idea of the size of the upcoming foldable iPhone.
Entertainment venues merge into one space
BY KADIE TAYLOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Axe Marks the Spot and the Opelika Rage Room are teaming up to provide one location for community fun. With the renovations completed, the business owners are working to reorganize and best accommodate customer fun in the shared space. “I talked with Alex from Rage Room, and we […]
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
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.
AI is transforming everything about how we work — and it's doing it a rapid pace unlike anything before it
AI transformation, workforce strategy, and new job roles are reshaping how companies like ServiceNow and Weber Shandwick operate today.
Trump administration’s plan to shrink vaccine schedule sends health sector scrambling
The health sector is working to navigate what could be the most significant changes to the U.S. vaccine program in decades.
Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech
Digital avatar generation company Lemon Slice is working to add a video layer to AI chatbots with a new diffusion model that can create digital avatars from a single image.
An LSU professor’s tips for responsible AI adoption in business
As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, business leaders across a range of industries are having to work out how to adopt them without putting sensitive information or the trust o… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. We are glad you enjoy reading Business Report. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content […]
"Time Is Not Broken": US Officials Work To Correct Time, After Discovering It Is 4.8 Microseconds Out
After a particularly nasty windstorm in Boulder, Colorado, official US time slowed ever so slightly.
From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
In 2025, the Army experienced some of its biggest changes in decades, and with this came new programs and new attitudes toward acquisition at large.
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.
Dodgers' Offseason Work Gets High Grades At This Point
While Los Angeles has just added Edwin Díaz to help its bullpen, that move alone has ballclub in top category in new article.
Final Big Ten women's basketball rankings before league play resumes
A look at the final USA TODAY Sports Network Big Ten women's basketball power rankings before league play resumes.
I worked remotely on a cross-country Amtrak train. The views were unbeatable, but I wish I'd known 3 things.
Working remotely on a 43-hour Amtrak train offered stunning views, but a reliable hotspot and backup power are essential.
How America’s Health Care System Broke in 2025
2025 exposed the consequences of political interference, rising costs, workforce strain, and unregulated AI.
7 Rising Stars who took Wall Street by storm after starting their careers in sports, science, and engineering
From sports to chemistry to fieldwork abroad, Wall Street's Rising Stars harnessed experiences far afield to scale top banks and asset managers.
7 Rising Stars who took Wall Street by storm after starting their careers in sports, science, and engineering
From sports to chemistry to fieldwork abroad, Wall Street's Rising Stars harnessed experiences far afield to scale top banks and asset managers.
7 Rising Stars who took Wall Street by storm after starting their careers in sports, science, and engineering
From sports to chemistry to fieldwork abroad, Wall Street's Rising Stars harnessed experiences far afield to scale top banks and asset managers.
A veteran of news media business, Peter Stanton announces retirement
Peter Stanton has spent nearly his entire career in Worcester, working among independent news publications. He retires at the end of the year.
Quitting a job to go on a European road trip helped her rethink her career
Nurya Doorenbos took a five-month European road trip to figure out what she truly wanted to do for work.
Full-length Replay: San Diego at Washington
The Toreros Battle the Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle for a Winter Clash.
Full-length Replay: Big Ten Men's: Missouri vs Illinois
From Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Full-length Replay: Siena at Indiana
Darian DeVries' Indiana Hoosiers (8-3) host Gerry McNamara's Siena Saints (9-3).
Entertainment and more in the Mid-Ohio Valley
PARKERSBURG — Artsbridge calendar of events for the week. TODAY * Belpre Holiday Lights, Civitan Park * Christine Rhodes multi-medium artwork display, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., WesBanco, Market Street, Parkersburg * Here the Pioneers Landed, exhibit, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Martius Museum and Ohio River Museum, Marietta * Storytime, newborn-preschool, 10:15-11:15 a.m., Barlow Branch Library WEDNESDAY, […]
Full-length Replay: First Things First: OT
An extra hour of football highlights and analysis from First Things First.
'Call of Duty' co-creator Vince Zampella dies at 55 — 'his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment'
One of Zampella's crowning achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide.
Justice Department’s heavy-handed redactions leave no one happy in the ‘Epstein files’ saga
The Justice Department’s release of the Epstein files — mandated by Congress to be completed last week — is still a work in progress.
Full-length Replay: First Things First
Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes offer their opinions on the day's sports stories.
Second One UI 8.5 beta breaks a popular Samsung camera app on the Galaxy S25
The Expert RAW app doesn't work on the second One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S25 lineup, unless you manually install an older version.
Medtronic’s diabetes spin-off files for IPO
Make way for MiniMed! Medtronic's diabetes division has filed the necessary paperwork to go public. The company hopes to be traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MMED.
30 Years of Standing for Science and Equity
This month, AVAC marked our 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the HIV field has evolved dramatically—but what we do, and why we do it, has remained constant: standing for science, equity, and community leadership, and ensuring evidence drives decisions that affect people’s lives. We’ve been able to do this work because of your partnership and […]
Trump’s Plan to Corrupt the Media Is Starting to Work
CBS pulled a critical story after the president complained about the network’s coverage.
Trump declared new federal holidays. He once said US has 'too many'
President Donald Trump declared Christmas Eve and December 26 holidays for federal workers. But other businesses are not obligated to do the same.