Robert Miller, a recent graduate of Huffman High School in Birmingham, Ala., has made history as the first Birmingham City Schools student to sign an esports scholarship. Miller, who competed in Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart on the Huffman esports team, will attend the University of Montevallo. "He earned a scholarship, an achievement I never imagined possible in our debut season," said coach Justin Hackett. "I am both astonished and immensely proud of Robert and our entire team for making history together."

Esports players face job insecurity and uncertainty about future careers, despite the industry's multibillion-dollar status. Players like Archie Pickthall and Slater Thomas note that reactions slow with age, making esports a young person's game. Robbie Douek of BLAST Esports is optimistic about job opportunities as the industry grows, but Phil Cooke from the University of Suffolk highlights the lack of a central governing body as a barrier to career development.

Simulation theory, or the simulation hypothesis, is the idea that life might be a simulation. Leon Kirkbeck, co-creator of The Cryptid Factor and CEO of UFO Rodeo, explores this concept by drawing parallels between simulation theory and video games, suggesting that coincidences might be examples of "lazy code" in a simulated reality. Kirkbeck also discusses the implications of living in a simulation, such as the potential for user-generated content and the impact on human behavior.

Members of Generation Z are struggling to find jobs as AI tools are making it easier for companies to downsize, leading to mass layoffs and a flooded job market, says Taylor Telford, a Washington Post business reporter. Many entry-level positions require several years of experience, putting Gen Z at a disadvantage.

As the new school year begins, teachers are focusing on building strong relationships with students, according to a survey by Education Week. Michael Reichert of the University of Pennsylvania highlights the importance of positive student-teacher relationships, especially for boys, noting that strong relationships can improve attendance, academic performance, behavior and overall student engagement.