A reflective essay on the rarity and profound value of lifelong friendships that transcend casual online connections. The author explores what it truly means to be a '25-year friend'—someone bound by deep commitment through life's pivotal moments and ultimate vulnerabilities—concluding that one ideally needs just two such friendships to sustain a meaningful life.
A scientist reflects on how AI might transform scientific research, arguing that unlike art—which depends on human experience—science is fundamentally about advancing humanity's understanding of the universe, making AI contributions potentially valuable if machines become better researchers than humans.