Human history has long been treated as fixed. An event either happened or it did not. Historians may dispute documents or debate evidence, but beneath the debate rests an assumption that there is a single chain of events that truly occurred. At the level of ordinary life, that view holds. At the quantum level, where particles follow rules very different from those of daily experience, that view becomes difficult to maintain. There, the past does not appear as one settled story but as a collection of possibilities shaped in part by choices made in the present.
Quantum mechanics, the theory that governs the behavior of atoms and light, forces this reconsideration. It has become one of the most successful scientific frameworks ever created, supporting chemistry, electronics, and much of modern technology. Yet it also introduces ideas that challenge the traditional picture of time and history. The double slit experiment, a simple arrangement of slits and screens, led to the first major break with classical thinking. Later variations, including what is known as the delayed choice or quantum eraser experiment, pushed the challenge further by raising questions about the nature of the past.
The Puzzle Introduced by Schrödinger
Erwin Schrödinger, one of the pioneers of quantum theory, tried to illustrate the strange implications of the mathematics with an imagined cat sealed inside a box. Under certain conditions, the math suggested that the cat would be treated as both alive and dead until someone looked inside. Schrödinger offered this not as a practical suggestion but to show how far quantum rules depart from common experience.
At the quantum level, particles do not carry definite properties until measured. Before measurement, they exist in a blend of possibilities called a superposition. This idea is foreign to daily life. A book on a table does not sit in two places at once. A thrown ball does not appear as a haze of potential paths. But electrons and photons do not behave like books or balls. They obey rules that remain hidden in the larger world.
The Open Future and the Unfinished Past
Many people accept that the future is uncertain. A radioactive atom might decay in the next moment or remain unchanged. An electron approaching a barrier might reflect or pass through. The best we can do is calculate odds.
Quantum mechanics suggests that the past, viewed closely enough, is also not fully determined until measured. Before observation, the history of a particle consists of several possible paths, each partly real. The act of measurement selects one of these paths and makes it the recorded version.
This leads to questions about what existed before the measurement was performed. If an electron is detected at a certain location, that does not mean it was in that location earlier. Instead, the measurement created the outcome from a field of possibilities.
Waves, Particles, and the Role of Measurement
The double slit experiment remains one of the clearest examples of this odd behavior. In 1801 Thomas Young directed light through two narrow openings and observed the pattern on a screen behind them. Instead of two bright patches of light, he saw a series of alternating bright and dark bands. This pattern, known as interference, occurs when waves overlap. It showed that light behaved as a wave.
Modern experiments allow researchers to send photons or electrons one at a time through the slits. Even then, the interference pattern appears over time. Each particle contributes a small mark on the screen, and the marks collect into the familiar pattern. Each particle seems to pass through both slits at once as a wave.
When scientists place detectors near the slits to determine which path each particle takes, a different result appears. The interference pattern disappears. The marks now suggest that particles pass through one slit or the other. Measurement of the path forces the particle to behave as a particle rather than a wave.
The key point is that the experimenters choice determines the behavior. If the path is measured, the result resembles particles. If the path is left unknown, the result resembles waves.
Wheeler and the Choice Made Too Late
Physicist John Wheeler extended the idea by suggesting that the decision to measure the path could be delayed until after the particle had passed through the slits. He argued that experimenters could decide at the last moment whether to allow interference or to check the path. If they chose to check the path, the interference vanished. If they chose not to check the path, the interference appeared.
Experiments of this type were eventually performed. They confirmed Wheeler’s expectation. The choice made after the particle had passed the slits influenced the pattern observed on the screen.
Wheeler described this by saying that the past has no existence except as recorded in the present. He did not mean that the past can be altered in the usual sense. Instead, he suggested that before observation there exist several possible pasts. The act of measurement selects one of them.
The Quantum Eraser
Later experiments introduced the idea of a quantum eraser. In these setups, information about the particles path is recorded in some subtle way. The interference pattern vanishes when this information is available. But the experiment is arranged so that the information can be erased later. When the information is erased, the interference pattern returns.
This does not mean that time is running backward. It means that the full history of the particle is not fixed until the system is measured in a particular way. Before measurement, several possible histories remain active.
A Large Scale Version
Wheeler once proposed a cosmic version of the experiment. Imagine light from a distant galaxy arriving at Earth by two possible routes, bent around a massive object such as a black hole. The two routes might differ in length. One photon might arrive now while the other might arrive much later. In theory, one could combine the information from the two arrivals to test for interference. The decision to combine the signals or to check the route taken would determine whether the light behaved like a wave or a particle. Wheeler jokingly asked how one might hold up the early arriving photon to wait for the later one.
The question captured the scale of the idea. The same quantum rules appear to apply across cosmic distances.
What This Means for Reality
Einstein once suggested that the distinction between past, present, and future might be an illusion. Wheeler offered a different view. The difficulty lies not in the flow of time but in the idea of a single past. At the quantum level, many possible pasts exist. Only when information is recorded does one of these possibilities become the version we recognize.
In the world we inhabit, these effects do not appear. Cars, trees, and planets do not behave like quantum particles. But the experiments suggest that the foundations of reality are not as firm as once believed. They remind us that at the smallest scales the universe operates in ways that challenge familiar assumptions.
Microsoft is adjusting expectations for its artificial intelligence business after internal sales targets proved difficult for its teams to meet. Reports from The Information stated that Microsoft cut growth targets for certain AI agent products when many salespeople failed to hit earlier goals in the fiscal year ending in June. The company has promoted these agents as central to its vision for the coming years, but enterprise demand has grown more slowly than expected.
AI agents are systems built on language models that carry out sequences of tasks without repeated user prompts. Microsoft has positioned these tools as a way for organizations to automate work flows, generate reports, and handle routine digital operations. In May, the company described this moment as the start of what it called the era of AI agents. It announced new agent features for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with tools for building and deploying agents through Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio.
The claims were ambitious. Customers were told that agents could take on complex activity, such as turning sales data into dashboards or drafting internal documents. As the year progressed, however, the promised adoption did not match the company’s projections.
One Azure sales unit set targets for teams to increase spending on Foundry by fifty percent. Foundry is a product meant to help businesses develop AI applications. Fewer than one in five salespeople reached the target. By July, the company reduced the growth target to about twenty five percent for the current fiscal year. Another Azure unit gave its staff a target to double Foundry revenue, a goal most could not reach. That quota has been reduced to fifty percent for the current fiscal year.
These shortfalls point to a broader issue. Many organizations remain cautious about paying for AI agent systems, especially when their reliability is not yet proven. Microsoft has also faced a separate challenge involving user preference. Earlier reporting from Bloomberg indicated that some enterprise workers favored ChatGPT over Microsoft’s Copilot collection. One example involved Amgen, which licensed Copilot for about twenty thousand employees. Many of them continued to use ChatGPT for general tasks, while Copilot was used mainly for activity tied closely to Outlook and Teams.
Microsoft did not comment directly on the quota reductions when asked by The Information. It later denied that it had lowered aggregate quotas for AI products at all. The company stated that The Information combined growth targets and sales quotas in a way that misrepresented how its sales system operates. Reuters reported that Microsoft said the overall quotas had not been lowered. Reuters also said it could not independently confirm the earlier reporting on missed targets.
The question behind these reports is whether the technology can support the heavy expectations placed upon it. Agent systems rely on methods developed soon after the release of GPT 4 in twenty twenty three. The basic idea is to divide a task into parts and let separate AI processes work on them under the guidance of a supervising model. These processes can check their own work and revise it. Companies including Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI have improved these systems for tasks such as software development. Even so, the tools still face the core limits of current language models.
One limit is confabulation. A model may produce a result that is stated as fact even when it is not correct. More advanced models have reduced this problem, but it has not been removed. When an automated system is given extended autonomy, an error can expand until it becomes a serious operational problem. These systems can repeat a mistake through multiple steps because they rely on pattern matching rather than actual reasoning. When a system is asked to solve a situation it has not been trained on, it may apply the wrong pattern and continue without noticing the failure. For businesses, this risk is serious, especially when systems are promoted as reliable aids for important workflow tasks.
Supporters of AI see a future where such limits fade once a general intelligence system is developed. The term artificial general intelligence often refers to a model that can learn new tasks without large sets of examples. It is an idea rather than a clear technical definition, and it remains hypothetical. Yet if such a system were ever built, it would make current agent tools seem narrow and rigid by comparison.
Even with the technical limits, investment continues at a fast pace. Microsoft reported capital spending of nearly thirty five billion dollars in its first fiscal quarter that ended in October. This was a record for the company. It also said that its spending will increase through the new fiscal year. A large share of Microsoft’s current AI revenue comes from other AI companies that rent cloud resources rather than traditional enterprises adopting agents for their own operations.
The broader industry is facing questions about whether AI investment has outpaced practical use. Research from MIT earlier this year found that only about five percent of AI projects progressed beyond the pilot phase inside organizations. This aligns with concerns that the sector may be entering a bubble similar to the dot com period in the late nineteen nineties. Major technology firms have reported heavy spending to expand infrastructure and meet projected demand. Estimates place total AI related spending by large US tech companies at roughly four hundred billion dollars this year.
There have already been signs of strain. The Information reported that Carlyle Group reduced its spending on Copilot Studio due to issues integrating the product with internal data. According to the report, Carlyle attempted to use Copilot Studio to automate meeting summaries, financial modeling, and other tasks. The company faced trouble getting the system to consistently retrieve the required data. Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment on whether Carlyle cut its spending.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft has seen strong performance in its Azure cloud unit. Revenue grew forty percent in the July through September period, beating expectations. The company said that AI demand was a factor in that growth. It also reported that it expects to remain short on AI capacity until the end of its fiscal year in June twenty twenty six.
Microsoft’s market value has shown the pressure and promise of the AI sector. Earlier this year, Microsoft became the second company to reach a valuation of four trillion dollars, following Nvidia. Its value has since pulled back, reflecting both the speed of its rise and the uncertainty of the path ahead.
The current moment shows a company investing in infrastructure and pushing new products while enterprise clients move at a slower pace. Microsoft is preparing for a future where automated agents handle large parts of digital work. The question is how quickly organizations will trust these systems enough to make that future real.
Lane Kiffin has left the University of Mississippi to take the head coaching position at Louisiana State University. His departure came as Ole Miss completed an 11-1 regular season and prepared for its first College Football Playoff appearance. The move immediately reshaped the landscape of the Southeastern Conference and ended one of the most closely watched coaching searches in recent college football history.
The decision followed weeks of speculation and negotiations involving multiple programs. Sources indicate that the Ole Miss coaching staff was divided on the matter. The defensive staff, led by coordinator Pete Golding, expressed a preference to remain at Ole Miss, which had emerged as a competitive program under Kiffin, achieving 54 wins and four seasons with 10 or more victories. Offensive assistants largely favored moves to Florida or LSU, both programs seeking new leadership after disappointing seasons.
The process intensified as Florida and LSU courted Kiffin. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin conducted an on-campus interview in early November, attempting to secure the coach who had previously expressed interest in leading the Gators. Florida’s recent struggles under Billy Napier, with a record of 22-23 over three-plus seasons, created urgency in their search. Kiffin’s personal connections to Florida, including family ties, initially positioned the program as a leading contender.
LSU’s opportunity arose after the Tigers dismissed Brian Kelly on October 26. Interim administrative changes, including the promotion of Verge Ausberry as athletic director, made the LSU job more appealing. Kiffin cited a conversation with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a factor in his decision, describing it as a discussion that reinforced his interest in the program. Ausberry emphasized that LSU’s approach to hiring Kiffin focused on support and resources rather than technical questions about game strategy.
Florida State also engaged Kiffin in discussions, but the financial and contractual implications of dismissing current coach Mike Norvell, combined with program instability, made the position less viable. Ultimately, Kiffin chose LSU over Florida and Florida State.
The final week of the season at Ole Miss was marked by uncertainty. Kiffin met with athletic director Keith Carter and Chancellor Glenn Boyce but declined to commit to an extension. Ole Miss officials made clear that accepting another position would preclude him from coaching in the College Football Playoff. Kiffin expressed concern over the system, noting the differences between college football and professional leagues in terms of negotiation timing.
During the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, Kiffin’s presence was overshadowed by the off-field drama. Locker room security issues were reported, including incidents of stolen jerseys. On the field, Ole Miss won 38-19, securing its strong finish to the regular season. Following the game, tensions escalated as Kiffin confronted a reporter over comments made on a podcast, though the issue was later resolved.
Following the Egg Bowl, Kiffin met with Carter and Boyce to announce his decision to leave for LSU. He sought permission to coach in the postseason but was denied. Sources indicate Kiffin threatened to take his offensive staff with him to LSU as leverage. Interim planning began immediately, with Pete Golding eventually named as Ole Miss’s new head coach.
Kiffin departed Ole Miss amid visible fan disapproval. Hundreds of supporters gathered at University-Oxford Airport, expressing their dissatisfaction as Kiffin, his family, and assistants boarded planes to Baton Rouge. His arrival at LSU was met with anticipation from the local community and commitments from recruits. Defensive tackle Lamar Brown, a Baton Rouge native and LSU commit, welcomed Kiffin publicly.
At his introductory press conference, Kiffin addressed the decision to leave Ole Miss. He described it as difficult and expressed respect for Ole Miss’s decision not to allow him to coach in the playoffs. Kiffin emphasized the focus on providing LSU with the opportunity to compete at the highest level, while acknowledging the disappointment his departure caused in Oxford.
Disputes arose regarding statements made by Kiffin about player sentiment at Ole Miss. Several players, including starting center Brycen Sanders and linebacker Suntarine Perkins, publicly contradicted his assertion that the team had requested he remain through the College Football Playoff. Sanders stated that the team’s concerns centered on retaining position coaches and minimizing off-field drama, rather than Kiffin’s personal plans.
Ole Miss officials confirmed that Kiffin and his representatives had been informed weeks prior that he would not coach in the postseason if he took another job. Carter said the timing of Kiffin’s announcement aligned with this understanding and emphasized that leadership decisions prioritized the program and players.
Kiffin’s departure leaves Ole Miss with a challenge: maintaining momentum during its playoff run while transitioning to new leadership. The Rebels’ leadership council played a role in supporting a smooth handoff to Golding, underscoring player concern for stability and continuity. Several assistants who followed Kiffin to LSU were later allowed to return to Ole Miss for the postseason.
At LSU, Kiffin inherits a program with recent losses and administrative change. The Tigers lost to Oklahoma prior to his arrival and face an offseason focused on recruiting and preparation for SEC competition. Kiffin’s immediate responsibilities include staffing decisions, engaging with recruits, and implementing offensive and defensive strategies.
The move also sets the stage for renewed SEC rivalries. Ole Miss will face LSU in the coming season under new circumstances, and Kiffin’s prior experience with the Rebels will shape expectations on both sides. Fans and stakeholders across the conference are closely monitoring the transition, which reflects broader trends in coaching mobility, program loyalty, and the business of college athletics.
Lane Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU concludes a period of intense scrutiny and speculation. His tenure at Ole Miss elevated the program to national prominence, but his decision to leave at a critical juncture underscores the complexities of college football leadership and the competing interests of coaches, universities, and players. The coming season will reveal the impact of his departure on both programs and the SEC landscape.
For many Americans, sleep has become a scarce resource. Long work hours, economic pressures, and constant digital noise have created a population that struggles to wind down. Into this landscape stepped Kathryn Nicolai, a former yoga teacher from Michigan who turned her natural ease with rest into a growing enterprise. Her stories now guide millions of listeners into sleep each night. What began as a quiet experiment in 2018 has become one of the most successful sleep-focused storytelling platforms in the country.
Nicolai calls herself an architect of coziness. Her workplace reflects that identity. She works in a room with a large lounge chair, hanging mobiles, and strands of soft lights. Though the space may sound whimsical, her purpose is practical: help people rest. She speaks with a steady voice, one that listeners have come to rely on as part of their nighttime routine.
Her path to this role was not direct. For years, Nicolai taught yoga and ran her own studio. She had a stable career, a home in Michigan, a wife, and a circle of friends. But she also carried a private wish to write. That wish remained quiet until a close friend, Renee, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In Nicolai’s early 30s, the two had a final conversation in which Renee urged her to pursue whatever dream she had held back. Nicolai still remembers the firmness in her friend’s voice, a seriousness that cut through her daily busyness. That moment, she says, changed her direction.
The task then was not simply to write, but to understand what she wanted to write. After some reflection, she realized that bedtime stories—simple narratives told at a slow pace—were the thing she wanted to create. She had always loved stories, from the audiobooks her father played to the records she listened to as a child. She had also spent years helping people relax through yoga instruction. She saw a chance to combine the two skills.
At first, Nicolai imagined writing a book. But she saw the publishing world as a difficult place to enter. A podcast, on the other hand, required only a microphone and the willingness to begin. At the time, only one other podcast focused on sleep through storytelling. Nicolai believed there might be room for another.
It took her two years to record her first episode. She created a narrative built around everyday observations from a walk home in the rain—sights, smells, and small moments intended to quiet the mind. She had used these images to help herself fall asleep for years. She released the episode in April 2018.
Early downloads were modest: a few dozen listeners per day, then a few hundred. At the time, Nicolai was still teaching several classes a week, running her studio, and creating stories at night and on weekends. After a month, the podcast reached roughly 1,500 downloads. Growth was slow, but steady. A year later, the podcast had reached 10 million downloads, and Nicolai began earning revenue through advertisements and paid subscriptions. Soon after, she secured a literary agent and sold her first book in dozens of countries.
By this point, her operation was far more than a hobby. As demand for new episodes grew, the strain of managing both the studio and the podcast forced a decision. Nicolai sold her studio and committed her full attention to her storytelling project.
Listeners reached her from every corner of the world. Many reported that they fell asleep within minutes. Nicolai’s stories share several characteristics. They take place in a fictional village called Nothing Much, where events unfold at an unhurried pace. The narratives focus on sensations and routine tasks: opening windows on a cold morning, walking a familiar path after rain, or preparing a simple meal. Each detail works to ease the mind out of the day’s events.
Although Nicolai writes each story herself, she now employs two assistants. One helps with production needs, and the other handles what Nicolai calls community care, responding to messages from listeners she refers to as villagers. The podcast has surpassed 200 million downloads, and on any given day roughly 200,000 people may listen to a story.
The success of Nothing Much Happens coincides with broader concerns about sleep in the United States. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared insufficient sleep a public health problem. Research shows that a significant portion of the population regularly falls short of the recommended seven hours of sleep per night. Short sleep duration has been linked to higher risks of anxiety, depression, heart disease, and other conditions.
Economists have taken note as well. In 2017, a report from McKinsey & Company suggested that private equity firms explore investments in sleep optimization. Estimates have placed the annual economic cost of sleep-related productivity loss in the United States at hundreds of billions of dollars.
This environment has fueled growth in the sleep industry. Mattress companies have multiplied, along with wearable devices that track rest patterns. Sleep aids have expanded to include various supplements, oils, and even textiles infused with calming compounds. Hotels now promote experiences focused on rest, offering custom pillows, guided programs, and multi-day retreats. Analysts have described this trend as the rise of “sleep tourism.”
By 2024, Americans were spending tens of billions of dollars each year on sleep-related products and services. Story-based sleep tools also grew quickly. When Nicolai launched her podcast, she was aware of only one other narrative-based sleep show. Today, there are hundreds. Apps such as Calm—featuring stories read by public figures—have joined the field, introducing even more competition.
Yet listeners continue to seek Nicolai’s voice. Her stories rely less on plot and more on rhythm, repetition, and gentle movement from one image to the next. She has introduced characters who populate her village: librarians, bakers, innkeepers, and animals with steady routines. Many listeners tell her that they wish they could visit the village itself.
Beginning next year, they will have a closer way to do so. Nicolai is preparing to launch a mobile app designed to offer extended experiences in the world of Nothing Much. She is also releasing her second book and considering projects involving children’s stories and television. Two of her animals, a cat named Marmalade and a dog named Crumb, may become the focus of a future book.
Despite her growing audience, Nicolai lives a quiet life in Michigan. She continues to write from her home, surrounded by her dogs, her wife, and a small environment she has shaped for comfort and creativity. She says she is aware that many people expect artists to produce work rooted in intensity or conflict. Her focus on calm has sometimes led others to describe her perspective as overly optimistic. She does not see it that way. She points out that humans possess a natural bias toward negative information, a trait rooted in survival instincts. Choosing to notice good moments, she says, is not naive but corrective.
Her stories reflect that approach. They offer small scenes of daily life, free of tension. In a culture marked by noise and speed, the simplicity appeals to many listeners. For them, Nothing Much Happens is not an escape, but a reminder that rest is not only necessary but possible.
The growth of Nicolai’s enterprise suggests that Americans are seeking new ways to manage stress and reclaim sleep. Her work is one piece of a larger movement toward improved rest. Scientists continue to research the effects of sleep on physical and mental health. Industry leaders develop new tools to track and improve nightly routines. And as the number of sleep-focused products grows, consumers seem willing to invest in solutions that bring even small improvements.
Nicolai’s contribution stands out for its simplicity. She does not offer technology or supplements. She offers a voice, a steady pace, and a set of stories that ask nothing of the listener except the willingness to rest. For many, that has become enough.
In a society where sleep has become both scarce and valuable, one storyteller has found a way to help people pause. Her village of Nothing Much may not exist on any map, but for millions, it serves as a nightly stop on the path to much-needed rest.
The 23rd edition of Art Basel Miami Beach opened its doors to a packed audience on Wednesday morning at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Early VIP visitors, including prominent Florida collectors such as Craig Robins and Mera and Don Rubell, filled the space, which showcased over 283 galleries from 43 countries. The fair's opening was marked by long lines, a high volume of sales, and a clear sense of optimism in the air. Despite concerns about the market’s post-pandemic recovery, the first few hours of the event suggested that confidence in the art world may be returning.
Strong Sales from Leading Galleries
Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 kicked off with significant sales, a positive sign after a period of contraction in the art market. One of the first major transactions reported was by David Zwirner Gallery, which sold a Gerhard Richter abstract painting for $5.5 million. The gallery also sold works by Alice Neel, Josef Albers, and Dana Schultz, with prices ranging from $1.2 million to $3.3 million. This strong early activity is a reflection of the broader momentum seen in recent auction results, where sales in New York earlier this year reached a record $2.2 billion.
Hauser & Wirth reported a 40% increase in sales compared to the previous year’s preview day. Among the notable sales were works by George Condo, Louise Bourgeois, and Rashid Johnson, all exceeding $1 million. The gallery also experienced brisk sales in contemporary works, with Marc Payot, president of Hauser & Wirth, calling the opening "a good day."
Other major galleries, including Thaddaeus Ropac and Pace, also reported strong sales in the first few hours. For example, Thaddaeus Ropac sold Alex Katz's Orange Hat 2 for $2.5 million, while Pace closed a deal for Sam Gilliam’s Heroines at $1.1 million. Sales such as these indicate a growing demand for high-value, blue-chip works, a shift from the slow-moving market of previous years.
New Sectors and Digital Art
Art Basel introduced a new section this year, Zero 10, dedicated to digital art. This initiative, which aims to attract collectors from the technology sector, has been particularly well-received. By early afternoon on opening day, approximately 65% of the works had sold, including Beeple’s series of robotic dog sculptures, which sold for $100,000 each. Digital artist Mike Winkelmann, known as Beeple, expressed his satisfaction with the section, noting its popularity and success.
The Zero 10 section reflects Art Basel’s broader strategy of tapping into new and diverse audiences. Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz noted that the fair is focused on building "bridges to new collecting communities," with digital art serving as one such bridge.
A Return to Confidence
After several years of uncertainty, the art market seems to be regaining its confidence. The success of recent auctions and the early sales at Art Basel Miami Beach suggest a shift toward optimism, particularly for high-value artworks. Collectors and galleries alike are showing renewed interest in blue-chip artists, with many large sales occurring in the early hours of the fair.
Miami-based dealer David Castillo remarked on the sense of buoyancy at the fair, noting that the market feels stronger now than it did a year ago. A notable early sale in his gallery’s booth was a large-scale painting by Studio Lenka, which sold for $50,000 in the first 45 minutes of the fair.
While optimism is high, there remains a degree of caution. The market’s recovery is still fragile, and many galleries are keeping a close eye on how the fair unfolds over the next few days.
The New Role of Digital and Emerging Art
Another notable development at this year’s fair is the increasing presence of emerging and digital artists. In addition to Beeple's works, galleries such as Lehmann Maupin and Dimin Art showcased new, innovative pieces. Lehmann Maupin reported multiple sales, including works by McArthur Binion and Liza Lou, while Robert Dimin’s debut at the Meridians sector featured a striking 12-panel painting installation by Justine Hill.
The success of these artists at Art Basel reflects a broader trend within the art world, where newer forms of artistic expression are gaining ground. Digital art, in particular, is drawing attention for its ability to engage a tech-savvy generation of collectors who are looking for new ways to interact with art.
Rising Stars and Established Names
While much of the attention at Art Basel Miami Beach is focused on established blue-chip names, there is also a growing interest in rediscovering overlooked 20th-century artists. Berry Campbell, a gallery that specializes in the work of female Abstract Expressionists, reported multiple sales in the first few hours of the fair, including paintings by Mercedes Matter and Yvonne Thomas, with prices ranging from $65,000 to $375,000.
For these galleries, Art Basel Miami Beach presents an opportunity to bring lesser-known works to a wider audience, offering collectors a chance to discover new artists and expand their collections. The success of these lesser-known artists could signal a broader trend toward rediscovery and greater inclusivity in the art world.
The Impact of Art Basel on Miami's Local Scene
The Miami art scene continues to grow and evolve, with Art Basel Miami Beach playing a key role in driving the city’s status as an international art hub. The fair brings a diverse array of collectors, artists, and curators to Miami each year, stimulating both the local economy and the global art market.
Local dealers, such as David Castillo, who has exhibited at the fair for years, report that Art Basel has increasingly become a focal point for Miami’s growing art scene. Castillo’s gallery sold all 20 paintings in a solo show by Studio Lenka the evening before the fair opened, underscoring the increasing demand for contemporary works in Miami.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the fair continues throughout the week, attention is shifting to whether the strong early sales will continue. Many in the art world are watching closely, as Art Basel Miami Beach is seen as a key indicator of the market’s health heading into 2026. If the momentum seen in the opening hours is sustained, it could signal a broader recovery for the art market, particularly for blue-chip and contemporary works.
In the words of Lisa Anastos, a collector from New York and Palm Beach, “There’s more hope in the art world again.” While caution remains, the early signs point to a renewed sense of confidence, making this year’s fair one of the most promising in recent memory.
As the fair continues to unfold, one thing is clear: despite the challenges of the past few years, Art Basel Miami Beach is once again serving as a barometer for the global art market. Whether or not this year marks a true turning point for the industry will depend on how the next few days play out, but the strong early sales offer a glimmer of optimism for the future.
In an era when technology has helped solve many of the problems that once disrupted sleep — cold nights, dangerous fires, disease-carrying pests, and the lack of light or climate control — a significant number of Americans are still struggling to get a good night’s rest.
Modern households often come equipped with central heating, air conditioning, and comfortable mattresses. Over-the-counter medications and advanced sleep diagnostics are widely available. Yet, data from the National Health Interview Survey and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine show that sleep problems remain widespread and unevenly distributed.
In 2020, 14.5% of U.S. adults reported difficulty falling asleep most days or every day. Nearly 18% had trouble staying asleep. These figures reveal that despite improvements in the conditions surrounding sleep, many people continue to wrestle with insomnia, poor sleep quality, and inconsistent sleep duration.
The Historical Contrast
Looking to the past, sleep conditions were far more challenging. Before the Industrial Revolution, families often shared beds in small, poorly insulated homes. Nighttime brought risks not only from the elements but from fire, insects, and crime. According to historian A. Roger Ekirch, nighttime insecurity shaped both how people slept and how they prayed. A full, uninterrupted night of rest was rare.
Today, most Americans no longer sleep beside livestock or fight off lice in their beds. But the problems keeping people awake have changed, not disappeared.
A Modern Sleep Crisis
Despite comfortable bedrooms and quieter streets, many people find themselves unable to sleep well — or enough. One significant factor is lifestyle.
Many people delay sleep in what psychologists refer to as revenge bedtime procrastination — the decision to stay up late for personal time after a long day of work or caregiving. Others scroll through distressing or attention-grabbing content on their phones late into the night, despite widespread awareness that screen exposure near bedtime interferes with the brain’s natural preparation for sleep.
Caffeine, alcohol, and erratic sleep schedules further compound the problem. Even those who try to “optimize” their sleep may end up making things worse. The use of sleep-tracking devices, strict nighttime routines, and supplements can sometimes foster anxiety and overattention to sleep metrics — a cycle that leads to more, not less, insomnia.
“We’re trying to have our cake and eat it, too,” says Ekirch. “The less time we accord to sleep, the more perfect we want it to be for when we do nod off.”
Behavioral and Biological Challenges
Some people are biologically inclined to need more sleep than others. These “long sleepers” may require up to ten hours of rest per night — a difficult goal to achieve in a culture that rewards productivity and constant availability. For shift workers, whose schedules may require alternating day and night shifts, sleep is often broken, inconsistent, and insufficient.
About 20% of American workers fall into this category. According to sleep psychologist Dr. Jade Wu, people in this group may suffer from shift-work sleep disorder, which is marked by excessive sleepiness, insomnia, or both. The condition is more common among people of color, who are overrepresented in lower-wage and overnight work.
Sleep Disparities by Race and Income
Sleep problems are not evenly spread across the population. People living in poverty, working irregular shifts, or residing in noisy, unsafe, or poorly ventilated environments are more likely to experience sleep disruptions. In 2020, 21.9% of people with family incomes below the federal poverty level had trouble falling asleep. That number dropped to 12.6% among households with incomes twice the poverty level or higher.
Race also plays a role. Non-Hispanic White adults were more likely to have trouble staying asleep (21%) than their non-Hispanic Black (15.4%), Hispanic (10.6%), or non-Hispanic Asian (8.7%) counterparts. However, Black adults were more likely to work alternating shifts and experience sleep disruptions tied to job demands.
Stress from discrimination has also been linked to poor sleep outcomes. The same groups facing housing instability, noise pollution, and environmental hazards also tend to experience greater health and sleep disparities.
Women consistently report more sleep issues than men. In 2020, 17.1% of women said they had trouble falling asleep most days, compared to 11.7% of men. Women were also more likely to have trouble staying asleep.
The Role of Environment
Where a person lives can directly impact how well they sleep. People in rural or nonmetropolitan areas — often with limited access to healthcare, fewer housing options, and more environmental noise — tend to report more trouble falling and staying asleep.
In 2020, 17.1% of adults in rural areas had trouble falling asleep, compared to 12.7% of adults in large metropolitan areas. Likewise, 22.4% of rural residents had difficulty staying asleep, compared to 14.4% in central cities.
Environmental factors such as bright streetlights, high temperatures, loud traffic, or a general lack of security can all impact one’s ability to fall and stay asleep.
Beyond Advice: Limits of Standard Sleep Tips
The standard sleep hygiene tips — keeping a room cool, dark, and quiet; avoiding screens; and sticking to a bedtime routine — can be helpful. But for many people, particularly those with unstable work schedules or caregiving responsibilities, such advice may seem unrealistic.
“Stress, anxiety, weird work schedules,” says clinical social worker Jessi Pettigrew, “can lead to the development of sleep disorders like insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders.”
For people living with babies, long commutes, or irregular hours, behavioral suggestions can feel out of touch. Even those with ideal conditions may find themselves lying awake, mentally checking off their sleep hygiene steps — a habit that can make things worse.
“What you see in people with insomnia is that they’re trying too hard,” says Wu. “They’re tracking their sleep too closely. They are perfectionistic about their sleep hygiene… trying to achieve a certain number of hours or a certain score on their sleep tracker.”
What Can Be Done?
Experts suggest focusing less on perfection and more on creating a sustainable routine. People in noisy or hot environments can try fans, blackout curtains, or earplugs. For others, especially those with ongoing issues, seeing a sleep specialist may help identify treatable conditions such as insomnia or sleep apnea.
But the most important step, Wu says, may be letting go of the obsession with ideal sleep. “One thing that can help,” Pettigrew adds, “is just saying, I’m going to trust my body to take care of this.”
Sleep has never been free from challenge. But while the threats of fire and pestilence have faded, a new set of modern, social, and systemic factors has emerged to take their place. Some of these barriers are deeply embedded in society — income inequality, racial discrimination, demanding work hours — and cannot be solved by weighted blankets or better alarms.
Still, the human body remains built for rest. The science is clear: sleep is essential to mental, emotional, and physical health. And while our tools have advanced, the solution may be simpler than we think — to allow ourselves the time, space, and trust to sleep
Hall of Fame quarterback and former Denver Broncos executive John Elway will not face criminal charges after the death of his former agent and business partner, Jeff Sperbeck, following a golf cart accident earlier this year. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation, determining the incident was a tragic accident with no evidence of foul play or impairment.
The event occurred on April 26, 2025, at The Madison Club, a private resort community in La Quinta, California. Sperbeck, 62, fell from the back of a moving golf cart driven by Elway. He suffered blunt force trauma to the head, later identified by the Riverside County coroner as the cause of death. Sperbeck passed away four days later at a nearby hospital.
Authorities reported that video evidence and witness interviews revealed no signs of reckless driving or intoxication. “I’ve looked at video 100 times and there’s no explanation as to why he fell off, he just fell off,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told Denver's 9NEWS. “We talked to everyone involved. There was nothing criminal.”
The final report cited the manner of death as accidental. Sperbeck had been standing at the rear of the golf cart alongside television personality Johnny Devenanzio, also known as Johnny Bananas, when he suddenly fell backward.
At the time of the incident, Elway was part of a group returning home from a private event at the resort. The group had opted to skip the nearby Stagecoach music festival due to poor weather. According to sources familiar with the evening, Elway’s son and his group were in a cart ahead of the one driven by Elway. Elway’s girlfriend and Sperbeck’s wife were seated in the front. No erratic behavior, sharp turns, or collisions occurred, witnesses stated.
Devenanzio immediately called for help, prompting Elway to stop the cart. Sperbeck’s wife, Cori, rushed to assist her husband. A 9-1-1 call followed, during which Elway appeared calm and coherent, according to Sheriff Bianco. “He was very articulate. He was very responsive. It was a normal urgent conversation,” Bianco said, noting there were no signs of impairment.
Paramedics arrived shortly after the call. Sperbeck was transported to a hospital with a severe head injury but did not survive. His organs were donated.
Jeff Sperbeck was a longtime NFL agent, representing over 100 players, coaches, and executives. He maintained lasting relationships with many of his clients, including Elway. Their professional partnership began in the early 1990s and later extended into business ventures, including 7Cellars, a wine brand co-founded by the two.
Elway served as the Denver Broncos' general manager from 2011 to 2020, overseeing the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory. During his tenure, and long after his playing career, Sperbeck remained by his side, often traveling with him to west coast games.
In a statement following Sperbeck’s death, Elway expressed deep sorrow: “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me.”
Sperbeck’s death comes four years after he played a key role in organizing tributes for another client and friend, coach Greg Knapp, who was struck and killed by a distracted driver. Sperbeck helped Knapp’s family establish the Coach Knapp Memorial Fund, which promotes awareness of distracted driving. That cause continues, with NFL coaches participating in annual stair climbs to honor Knapp’s memory.
Following Sperbeck’s passing, his family and friends gathered on June 7 at his high school alma mater, Jesuit High School in Sacramento, for a Celebration of Life. Elway was among the attendees.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will make a formal announcement confirming the conclusion of the case. “It’s over,” Sheriff Bianco said. “There was nothing new revealed. This was a tragic accident.”
No charges will be filed. The findings provide a measure of closure to the families and individuals involved in the April incident.
Polybius, a Greek historian from the second century BC, spent much of his life trying to answer a central question: Why do civilizations rise and fall? His theories, recorded in a comprehensive history of Rome, sought to explain the remarkable success of the Roman Republic and why it managed to expand rapidly, while other civilizations, like his own Greek city-state of Megalopolis, crumbled.
Polybius lived through a pivotal period in history. As a member of the Greek upper class, he witnessed the relentless advance of the Roman Republic, which had already overrun much of the Greek world, including his own city. His first-hand experience as a hostage in Rome provided him unique insight into Roman governance and its power structure. Over the course of his captivity, Polybius developed an understanding of Rome’s success that became the cornerstone of his historical analysis.
Polybius believed that civilizations, much like living organisms, follow a natural cycle of birth, growth, maturity, stagnation, and eventual collapse. This cyclical view of history was not original to him—Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle had also proposed similar ideas. However, Polybius took the concept further with his theory of "anacyclosis," a seven-stage cycle of government. In his model, each form of government—monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy—eventually degenerates into its corrupted counterpart: tyranny, oligarchy, and mob rule, respectively. The cycle ends when a new strong leader emerges, starting the process anew.
Polybius applied this theory to the history of Greek city-states like Athens, which moved from kingship to tyranny, then aristocracy, and finally democracy, only to collapse into chaos. He observed that this cycle seemed to repeat across civilizations, often ending in collapse and the rise of a new leader.
The puzzle that fascinated Polybius, however, was why Rome seemed to avoid the same fate. After the fall of its kings in the 6th century BC, the Romans established a republic, a system that, for Polybius, represented a mix of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. The Roman system distributed political power across different groups—magistrates, the Senate, and the people—creating a balance that prevented any one group from becoming too powerful. This unique structure, he argued, was the key to Rome’s success and its ability to conquer the Mediterranean world in just over half a century.
Polybius described the Roman Republic as a “mixed constitution,” where the elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy worked in harmony to check one another’s power. This equilibrium, he believed, protected Rome from the inherent corruption that led to the downfall of other civilizations.
While Polybius praised Rome’s political structure, he also noted that the Republic was not immune to corruption. Over time, ambitious leaders like Julius Caesar would rise, undermining the Republic's institutions and eventually leading to its collapse. By the end of the first century BC, Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire under Augustus, signaling the end of the system that Polybius had admired.
Despite the eventual failure of the Roman Republic, Polybius’ analysis remains valuable. His theories of governance, particularly his concept of anacyclosis, continue to serve as a framework for understanding the rise and fall of civilizations. The questions he raised about political stability and the cyclical nature of power are as relevant today as they were two thousand years ago.
Polybius’ insights influenced later thinkers, including Thomas Aquinas, Niccolò Machiavelli, and even the American Founding Fathers. John Adams, in particular, referenced Polybius in his writings, considering his ideas on mixed government to be crucial in the formation of the United States Constitution.
Though the Roman Republic ultimately failed, the lessons from Polybius' analysis offer valuable perspectives on the forces that shape civilizations and the challenges of sustaining political systems over time.
Meta is facing significant criticism over its use of copyrighted books to train its artificial intelligence models, following allegations that the company exploited pirated content from the LibGen database. The controversy centers around Meta's use of LibGen, a widely known “shadow library” containing millions of pirated books and academic papers. In January, court documents revealed that Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, authorized the use of LibGen’s vast collection to train the company’s Llama 3 AI model.
LibGen houses over 7.5 million books and 81 million research papers, many of which are uploaded without the permission of the original authors or publishers. As a result, numerous writers have found their works included in this database without their consent, raising alarms about the ethical implications of using such pirated content in AI development.
The Society of Authors (SoA), which represents writers in the UK, has condemned Meta’s actions, labeling them as illegal and damaging to the creative industries. SoA chair Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin argued that the process of writing a book can take years, and that the unauthorized use of these works by Meta undermines the livelihood of authors, many of whom already earn limited financial rewards for their efforts.
A separate group of authors, including high-profile names like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jacqueline Woodson, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. accusing Meta of copyright infringement. These authors contend that Meta knowingly used pirated content from LibGen to improve the performance of its AI systems, without offering compensation or recognition for their intellectual property.
Meta, for its part, has defended its actions, with a spokesperson stating that the company respects intellectual property rights and that its use of data to train AI models is consistent with existing laws. However, the dispute raises larger questions about the boundaries of copyright in the context of rapidly advancing AI technology.
Meta’s decision to rely on LibGen instead of negotiating licensing agreements with authors and publishers has drawn particular criticism. Critics argue that Meta, with its substantial financial resources, could have easily struck deals with content creators to use their works in a lawful and ethical manner, rather than resorting to pirated material. This approach, some say, highlights a troubling pattern of prioritizing speed and cost savings over respect for intellectual property rights.
The legal battle over Meta’s use of LibGen is part of a broader conversation about the ethical challenges of AI development. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, there is growing concern about how companies source the data that powers these systems. In particular, the use of pirated content to train AI models has raised red flags about the potential exploitation of creators and the long-term implications for intellectual property laws.
Other companies in the AI industry have faced similar criticisms. OpenAI, for instance, has been accused of using LibGen in the past for training its models, although it denies using the database in recent years. The issue of pirated content and AI training is becoming a significant point of contention, with some calling for clearer ethical guidelines and legal frameworks to address the challenges posed by AI technology.
In response to Meta’s alleged actions, a number of creators have filed lawsuits, seeking compensation and pushing for a reexamination of how companies collect and use data for AI training. These lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for the AI industry, potentially reshapmpressive outputs, their reliance on pirated content rmpressive outputs, their reliance on pirated content rmpressive outputs, their rempressive outputs, their rempressive outputs, their reliance on pirated content rmpressive outputs, their reliance on pirated content rmpressive outputs, their reliance on pirated content raises critical questions about the fairness and ethics of using such material to develop profitable technologies.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome could establish important precedents for how companies can access and use copyrighted content to train AI models. The issue is not just about the books or the authors involved—it is about the broader ethical and legal framework governing the intersection of technology, intellectual property, and creative labor.
In the coming years, the resolution of these disputes will likely shape the future of AI development and intellectual property rights. How companies handle content creators' works will be a key factor in determining the ethical direction of AI technology and its place in society.
China has sharply criticized the United States for imposing heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing the U.S. of unilateralism and economic bullying. The response came after President Donald Trump announced a significant tariff increase on Chinese imports, bringing the total tariff rate on some products to 54%. This decision, part of Trump’s “Liberation Day” policy, has ignited tensions between the two economic giants and prompted a series of countermeasures from Beijing.
The tariff hike, which added a 34% levy to existing tariffs, was seen by China as a direct attack on its economy and a violation of international trade rules. A Chinese foreign affairs spokesperson, Lin Jian, condemned the move, stating that the U.S. was prioritizing its own interests over global economic stability. Lin further argued that such actions harm not only China but the broader global economy, which is still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. decision to unilaterally impose tariffs, he said, undermines the rules-based international trade system.
In response, China has initiated a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging the legality of the U.S. tariffs. Beijing also moved to restrict the imports of certain U.S. goods and limited exports of rare earth minerals, which are crucial to various high-tech industries. These actions are seen as a direct counter to the tariffs, signaling China's intent to protect its economic interests and retaliate against what it views as protectionist behavior by the U.S.
Despite these moves, experts suggest that China’s efforts may not force the U.S. to reverse its decision in the short term. Jude Blanchette, director of the Rand China Research Center, noted that while the tariffs could hurt China economically, particularly in the short term, the U.S. administration appears less concerned with market fluctuations than in previous years. Blanchette emphasized that China’s countermeasures, such as restricting exports, are unlikely to cause the U.S. to back down.
There is also growing uncertainty within China regarding U.S. policy direction. Some reports suggest a shift in U.S.-China relations, particularly surrounding the issue of TikTok. A deal had been in the works for the Chinese company ByteDance to sell its popular app to an American buyer, but the announcement of the new tariffs led Beijing to call off the agreement. This decision reflects China’s reluctance to make concessions under pressure, especially when it comes to issues involving national security and technological sovereignty.
Further complicating matters, the U.S. policy on Taiwan appears inconsistent. Recently, Taiwan’s top security official, Joseph Wu, visited Washington for talks, a move that was widely recognized as a diplomatic gesture between the two. However, the visit came amid reports of personnel changes in the U.S. administration, including the firing of several officials involved in China-related policy. These changes have added to the confusion over the U.S. stance on China and Taiwan, and Beijing is closely monitoring any developments that could affect the delicate balance of cross-strait relations.
On the global stage, the United States’ actions are being met with a mixed response. The European Union, along with other key liberal economies such as the UK and Australia, has expressed concerns over the potential for a global trade war. While these nations share some security concerns regarding China, they are also looking to expand economic ties with China as a counterbalance to U.S. trade policies. In March, the European Union’s trade chief met with Chinese officials, emphasizing the need to resist unilateralism and support multilateral trade systems.
Despite the tensions, China remains committed to its policy of self-reliance. Since the first round of U.S. tariffs under President Trump, China has focused on reducing its dependence on foreign imports and boosting domestic consumption. This policy, known as “zili gengsheng” or “self-reliance,” may help mitigate some of the negative effects of the tariffs. China’s leadership, including President Xi Jinping, is prepared to weather short-term economic setbacks in favor of long-term strategic goals. In fact, some economists believe that the tariffs may ultimately encourage a shift toward greater domestic consumption, which could help rebalance China’s economy over time.
The U.S. tariffs, while painful for Chinese exporters, could potentially help China move towards a more sustainable economic model, though such a shift would take time. Nevertheless, the broader impact on global trade and economic relations remains uncertain. With escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, the world is left wondering how these developments will affect global markets and the future of international trade.
In the meantime, President Trump’s tariff policies are already shaking global markets. The threat of a prolonged trade war has raised fears of a global recession, with analysts predicting a potential slowdown in economic growth. As the situation develops, the U.S. and China will likely continue their economic tug-of-war, with each side trying to protect its own interests while navigating the complexities of international relations.