SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " try " 10,336 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
What makes a good E-sports player? Start by being a good human being
Winthrop University in Rock Hill has been leading the E-sports charge among colleges for about seven years. And a local pro squad is trying to increase representation in the sport. Turns out being a good person is better than being a top player.
Report: Xbox & PlayStation Could Delay Next-Gen Consoles Due To RAM Price Increases
"The industry as a whole is concerned about RAM availability"
2025: The year of the starfish (and the Pacific Northwest scientists trying to save them)
Research groups from several universities and institutes have been tackling the problem of dying sea stars, each looking for ways to help these important apex predators recover.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
If you want to improve your health in 2026, experts say keep it simple. Be cautious of health and wellness fads.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
If you want to improve your health in 2026, experts say keep it simple.
The Year in Business Aviation: NBAA’s Top Stories of 2025
Whether advocating for the industry, keeping members informed on critical operational issues, or bringing professionals together for unparalleled connection, 2025 proved to be a pivotal year for business aviation.
Wall Street Bets: Accel Entertainment, regional markets, New York online sports betting
Wall Street Bets is a roundup of recent notes from analysts covering the gambling industry.Accel Entertainment benefits from favorable terms for VGTsTruist Securities’ Patrick Keogh on December 24 looked at the prospects for Accel Entertainment, a supplier of video game terminals:“Yester
Scientists found a dangerous feedback loop accelerating Arctic warming
The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release heat and pollutants that form clouds and speed up melting, while emissions from nearby oil fields alter the chemistry of the air. These interactions trigger feedback loops that let in more sunlight, generate smog, and push warming even further. Together, they paint a troubling picture of how fragile the Arctic system has become.
Palm Beach County professionals on the move for the week of Dec. 29
Top Palm Beach County business professionals moving up within their industry or standing out in their community.
Michigan's weed gold rush is long gone. Now, the industry is fighting to survive.
Michigan’s legal marijuana industry is facing an uncertain future.
Experts Question Denmark’s Vaccine Program as a Model for the U.S.
The United States is expected to adopt the vaccine schedule used by Denmark, a much smaller country with universal health care.
The wine business faces an existential threat
The wine industry faces an existential threat that cuts across price points and prestige levels, supply and demand
German business groups expect job cuts in 2026 as economic crisis drags on
A majority of German business associations expect job cuts in 2026 as the country's economic crisis persists, with industry hit hardest by global protectionism and weak exports, a survey by the German Economic Institute IW showed on Monday.
Petah Tikva declared 'red city' for measles outbreak, six-month-old children to be vaccinated
According to the ministry’s statement, the exceptional step was taken due to the rapid spread of the disease in the city and the makeup of the population.
Analysis: Trump doubles down on big goal bets in end-of-the-year flurry
President Donald Trump is spending the end of the year trying to cash in huge foreign policy bets on which thousands of lives may depend and that will define his attempt to wield decisive power far beyond American shores.
Panthers shine through ups and downs in 2025 fall sports
Record-breaking performances, thrilling matchups and standout athletes defined Chapman’s season across football, soccer, volleyball, water polo and cross country.
Takeaways from Trump’s meeting with Zelensky in Florida
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traded freezing, missile-tormented Kyiv on Sunday for the frescoed dining room at Mar-a-Lago, where he hoped to gain President Donald Trump’s sign-off on a revised 20-point peace plan to end the war in his country.
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says
The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s p...
Sunday Sports: A look back on Lowville football’s dominant season
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Sunday.
Sunday Sports: A look back on Lowville football’s dominant season
Here’s a recap of your North Country sports this Sunday.
How Trump is leveraging sports and sports culture for his political brand : Consider This from NPR
President Trump is using his position to access sporting events across the country and embed himself with teams and fans. And he’s leveraging sports and American sports culture to build up and amplify his political brand. NPR’s Tamara Keith speak with Christine Brennan, a longtime sports columnist and author, about the president and the significance of his strong ties to sports.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins, Dana Farrington and Rebekah Metzler. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
How Trump is leveraging sports and sports culture for his political brand : Consider This from NPR
President Trump is using his position to access sporting events across the country and embed himself with teams and fans. And he’s leveraging sports and American sports culture to build up and amplify his political brand. NPR’s Tamara Keith speak with Christine Brennan, a longtime sports columnist and author, about the president and the significance of his strong ties to sports.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins, Dana Farrington and Rebekah Metzler. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
Artificial Intelligence Impacts the Art and Science of Dentistry
Artificial Intelligence is a relatively recent tool developed by computer experts. What is it? Here are some definitions to begin with.
Pikmin 3 Deluxe Nintendo Switch 2 listing has surfaced
Pikmin 3 Deluxe could be bound for Nintendo Switch 2 if a new listing is anything to go by. Today, the game was re-rated by PEGI. This is a separate entry specifically for Nintendo Switch – the Switch original is still on the page from 2020. Pikmin 3 Deluxe originally released several years after its Wii U debut. The Nintendo...
YEAR IN REVIEW: National politics affect daily life in KC Metro
President Donald Trump's second term in office had ripple effects across the country, including here in the Metro. Our roundtable discusses the issues that changed daily life, and what 2026 could hold.
New state law tries to build more apartments near public transportation stops
A new law in California will try to make it easier for housing developers to build more homes near public transportation stops.
AI is coming for young people’s office jobs. That’s good news for the construction industry
More young people are following the money and going into trades like construction where AI can’t easily replace them
Trump’s 2026 Resolution: Give People Money
The president is trying to coax voters out of financial malaise with cash.
How will college sports look by 2050? Big changes are ahead for URI
Shane Donaldson: "[URI is] trying to create new revenue streams to keep up in the landscape. How possible is that?"
8 things to watch as Colts take on Jaguars
The Colts (8-7) will try to stop their five-game slide by beating Jacksonville (11-4), a team that has its sights set on the AFC South title.
A Grip on Sports: Off the sick list, sort of, and ready to try to catch up as the world of sports, in this area at least, evolves once more
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh, yes. Thinking about the past. And hoping we still had a future.
Behold the Manifold, the Concept that Changed How Mathematicians View Space
In the mid-19th century, Bernhard Riemann conceived of a new way to think about mathematical spaces, providing the foundation for modern geometry and physics.
Business owner says deadly San Jose shooting did not happen at her store
The owner of a business in a San Jose building where a deadly shooting broke out early Friday morning is reeling from the tragedy and trying to get the word out that it didn't happen at her store.
Bengals News (12/27): What’s Taking so Long?
The Bengals try and continue their end-of-season momentum against the Cardinals.
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.
NVIDIA’s RTX 5080 Is Now Being Sold in a “Chunky” 32GB VRAM Configuration in China, Gobbling Up GDDR7 Modules for AI Workloads
The Chinese GPU industry is selling modded GeForce RTX 5080s, which feature twice the memory compared to the GPUs' initial specifications.
Predicting Hollywood in 2026
Educated guesses, smart takes and back-of-the napkin math on what entertainment industry insiders will be talking about in the next 12 months.
The Best New Tech and Business Podcasts 2025
Quantity is so often the enemy of quality, a truth made plainly apparent across podcast feeds these days: Everyone and their cousin—or, rather, everyone and their Series B investor—is trying to do a lengthy chat show, seated behind high-end video cameras and the same set of Shure mics that Joe ...
McKinstry's Home Furnishings, Beaver Dam's Oldest Business, to Close After 167 Years
(BEAVER DAM) McKinstry’s Home Furnishings, the oldest business in Beaver Dam and the oldest family-owned home furnishings store in Wisconsin, is announcing plans to close ... Read more
Micah's expectations for Bears vs 49ers in Week 17
Caleb Williams will try to deliver a complete game to help the Bears clinch the NFC North and maybe get the top seed in the NFC playoffs
Nvidia's Groq deal rattled Silicon Valley. Here are 5 other AI startups split apart in Big Tech's new deals.
Traditional acquisitions have become rarer. Nvidia's deal for Groq sounded familiar to many in the tech industry.
NFL Week 17 Fantasy Football injury report
Here we'll try to look at and discuss the players included in the 2026 NFL Week 17 Fantasy Football injury report.
Luxury brands bet on mass-market sports despite shift to exclusivity
Sponsorships and collaborations soar even as industry slowdown spurs renewed focus on wealthiest customers
Kosovo heads to polls hoping to break political deadlock
Europe’s youngest country is headed for yet another election, casting its European path further in doubt.
Texans-Chargers Preview
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers are practically mirror images this season, teams with elite defenses and erratic offenses still trying to stay alive in their respective AFC divisional races.
David Spade says he spent 25 years trying to get Eddie Murphy to stop hating him
David Spade says he spent 25 years trying to get Eddie Murphy to stop hating him after his infamous 'SNL' joke making fun of the comedian's movie career: 'He was a hero.'
Sudan civil war: Health system ‘on the verge of collapse’
The war in Sudan has been tearing the country apart for almost 1,000 days, putting the country’s health system under intolerable pressure. The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting widespread disease outbreaks, severe shortages, malnutrition and rising deaths.
Bay Area group trying to expand access to health insurance
Wellness event is happening on December 29, 2025 in San Jose. Lucy Hernandez, spokesperson for Bay Area Community Health appeared on Mornings on 2, to discuss the services being offered, and the timeliness of this end-of-the-year event.
Just unwrap new AirPods Pro? Here are the must-try features
Did you just unwrap new AirPods Pro? If so, it’s key that you know there is a lot more to...
ETF race hits $1T at record speed with more gains coming
Money is flowing into ETFs so fast this year that the industry hit $1 trillion in October, months ahead of last year's pace, as gold, bonds and crypto lure investor dollars.
What researchers have discovered about maternal, infant health under Texas’ abortion laws
A growing body of research indicates that Texas' abortion bans — which are among the country’s most restrictive — have negatively affected the health and...
Try not to smile at these 5 feel-good science stories from 2025 | BBC Science Focus Magazine
We run down five of the best good-news science stories from 2025 – from beating ageing to uncovering the distant Universe
Media and Entertainment's Biggest Innovations of 2025
Artificial intelligence brought evolution to the entertainment industry in 2025, but that's not all that changed this year.
Israel becomes first country to recognise Somaliland
Breakaway region achieves diplomatic breakthrough after more than 30 years without international recognition.
The health care industry expected to see Oregon’s greatest job growth over next decade
Overall the state will add just over 140,000 jobs by 2034, according to the latest projections from the Oregon Employment Department.
Friday letters: politics, media, public discourse and more
Reflections on Trump’s address I hope everyone had a chance to watch Trump’s address to the country on Dec. 17. If not, you should easily be able to find it on the internet. If you...
Quicken Business and Personal vs. FreshBooks
Trying to pick between Quicken Business & Personal and FreshBooks? Here's how the platforms really compare.
Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on Islamist militants, says foreign minister
Strikes against group accused by Donald Trump of attacking Christian communities took place on Christmas Day in country’s north-west
Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark's? Experts say we're nothing alike
The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.
Clean energy is surging despite political attacks. But a slowdown may be looming
Over the past year, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans have waged a sweeping campaign against America's renewable energy industry. At least for now, though, clean energy is still booming in the United States.
Chiefs most to blame for Christmas Day loss to Broncos
Here we'll try to look at and discuss the Kansas City Chiefs most to blame for their week 17 loss to the Broncos.
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.
Loon center welcomes new director of science and conservation
SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation announced Monday the appointment of Lizz Schuyler as senior director of science and conservation. A native New Yorker, Schuyler grew up in the Pottersville/Schroon Lake area. She attended State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry for her undergraduate degree and then earned […]
Trump says US military struck ISIS terrorists in Nigeria
President Donald Trump said Thursday he’d ordered a deadly strike on Islamic State terrorists in Nigeria, who he has accused of persecuting Christians in the country.
Uncovering the mystery of how algae makes snow green, red or orange
Snow isn't always white; algae can make it look green, red, or orange, and scientists are trying to understand how and why these colorful patches appear.
Pacers vow to 'keep fighting' ahead of rematch with Celtics
The Indiana Pacers will try to find their scoring touch and end a six-game losing streak when they meet the Boston Celtics on Friday night in Indianapolis.
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
'Radical Left Scum.' Trump Xmas cheer greets rivals, heralds economy
Trump heralded Christmas with messages criticizing 'Radical Left Scum' and promoting the country's economic growth.
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.
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.
With Trump in Power, Democrats Try to Redefine Themselves as Disrupters
Since President Trump’s rise, Democrats have served as defenders of a political system many Americans believe is broken. Now the party is trying a new approach.
Local Politician Jim Mueller Leaves Lasting Legacy in Russell | Geauga County Maple Leaf
When Jim Mueller first heard President John F. Kennedy say, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” it not only sparked a lifelong commitment to public service, but also shaped Geauga County — and national — politics for more than four decades, he said during
Panthers vs. Seahawks Injury Report
See who's in and who's out for the Week 17 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025.
What are asteroids really made of? New analysis brings space mining closer to reality
Scientists are digging into the hidden makeup of carbon-rich asteroids to see whether they could one day fuel space exploration—or even be mined for valuable resources. By analyzing rare meteorites that naturally fall to Earth, researchers have uncovered clues about the chemistry, history, and potential usefulness of these ancient space rocks. While large-scale asteroid mining is still far off, the study highlights specific asteroid types that may be promising targets, especially for water extraction.
Year in review: Trump, gerrymandering & redistricting : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we explore how President Trump pushed Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps with the hope of getting more Republican members of the House of Representatives, and how that led to an escalation of partisan gerrymandering throughout the country.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
The Business of Watches Podcast: Audemars Piguet CEO Ilaria Resta Drives Double-Digit Sales Increase For Brand's 150th Anniversary Year
How AP managed to grow sales amid an industry downturn and how its Chief Executive is positioning the brand for the next century.
Craft Brewing Business is closing up for the holidays — thank you for another great year
As the year winds down, Craft Brewing Business is taking a break for the holidays. Before we do, we want to pause and say thank you. This year reminded us why we started this site in the first place — to cover the independent brewing industry honestly, thoughtfully and without hype. It has been anotherRead More
Stigma Is the Enemy of Science and Human Progress
History shows we often dismiss what we don’t yet understand. Here’s why stigmatizing today’s uncomfortable questions may be holding humanity back.
The nation’s cartoonists look back on the year that was.
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's a look back on the past year through the eyes of the cartoonists. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
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.
Check your physics knowledge with our bumper end-of-year quiz
Try our new interactive end-of-year quiz compiled by Colin White
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
AlphaFold Changed Science. After 5 Years, It’s Still Evolving
WIRED spoke with DeepMind’s Pushmeet Kohli about the recent past—and promising future—of the Nobel Prize-winning research project that changed biology and chemistry forever.
Cracker jokes and custard chemistry: ways to smuggle science into Christmas
Researchers share the easy ways to uncover moments of festive discovery, proving you don’t need a lab coat to experiment this Christmas
Mad about Science: The solarwinds hack » Sandpoint Reader
By Brenden BobbyReader Columnist It’s important to practice good cybersecurity when you’re at home or at your job. Don’t click links you can’t verify. Don’t open emails from people you don’t recognize trying to...
The Incredible Shrinking President
The president is no longer dominating his party or the country in the way he once did.
‘Silver tsunami’ of retiring business owners leaves Main Streets at a crossroads
(This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.) ALPENA — Mary Rajasekhar had owned Olivet Book and Gift for 35 years when she decided last Christmas it was time to retire. But, with her children spread out across the country and into their own […]
Editorial: Greece, Israel and the Politics of Alignment
The shift is unmistakable. A country that once kept Israel at arm’s length now stands closer to it than almost any European nation.
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.
49ers Players on Team's Mindset: 'Just Handle Business Each Week'
San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy, TE George Kittle, RB Christian McCaffrey, T Trent Williams, and LB Dee Winters highlighted team chemistry, preparation, and the importance of staying focused as the 49ers look ahead to the playoffs.
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.
Opinion: Affordable health care is key to successful reentry and a stronger Alaska
As federal tax credits are set to expire, Alaska will bear the weight of an avoidable crisis.
Windows 11 driver hack boosts NVMe SSD performance by up to 85%
Windows Server 2025 now features a new NVMe driver, and users are already reaping performance benefits in Windows 11 through registry edits.
Brand Innovators Outlook 2026: Entertainment
The entertainment industry faces a year of change and adjustment in 2026. New technologies and merger activity will keep movies, TV and live events in play. With the limitations of the COVID pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the sector anticipates consumers will indulge in movies and live events, and brands will find new ways […]
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.
New Health Ministry guidelines: Sperm bank donations from one donor limited to 12 families
* * *
McClellan Excited for Strong Family Bond at K-State - Kansas State University Athletics
Nick McClellan, a first team all-state honoree at Christian Brothers College (Mo.) High School and one of the finest two-way players in the country, had star...
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.