Michael J. Fox joins Harrison Fordand an ensemble cast for season 3 of Shrinking, a comedy-drama series about a therapist who helps patients working through their mental health issues while dealing with his own issues. This is a return to TV since Fox initially retired from acting in 2020.
In season 3, Ford’s character is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that Fox knows all about first-hand. Without giving too much away, Ford’s character hallucinates that Fox’s character was at his recent wedding reception. Fox’s character also has PD and the two talk about how the tremors and other issues affect their daily lives. There’s been speculation that Harrison Ford has PD in real life, but these rumors are unfounded. Fox was diagnosed with early-onset PD in his 20’s.
Are Hallucinations A Side Effect of PD?
Yes, people with PD can experience cognitive issues like hallucinations, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. People can have hallucinations and delusions, which may develop years after diagnosis. Common hallucinations are hearing or seeing people or things that aren’t there. Delusions affect how a person understands a situation. They can worsen over time as the disease progresses.
A spouse with PD may suddenly think their spouse is cheating on them or that family members are stealing from them. It can be difficult for a person with PD to separate fact from the fiction of their own making. These things can be very scary for the person experiencing them and frustrating for friends and loved ones.
Other causes include:
Certain PD medications
Changes in the day-to-day routine
Medications like Benadryl
Infections, including a urinary tract infection, COVID-19 or pneumonia
You can stream “Shrinking on Apple TV + with new episodes on Wednesdays.
The annual Grammys are scheduled for the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Sunday night, Feb. 1. While high-profile artists are expected to attend, some performing and others presenting, one big question is whether Swift will be there with her future husband, Travis Kelce.
Swift is no Grammy Awards newbie. All in all, she’s won 14 Grammy Awards and has been nominated 58 times, so at this point, going to the Grammys is like going to an annual family reunion.
Let’s get into the possibility of Swift being at the 2026 Grammys.
Will Taylor Swift Be at the Grammys?
Swift is not expected to attend the Grammys, although that isn’t official yet. Grammy Awards executive producer Ben Winston says that people shouldn’t expect to see her there, both attending or performing.
“The only reason people think Taylor might be performing or coming is because HITS decided to print it this week and put it in their HITS List, and it was picked up globally,” Winston told HITS in an interview.
“But HITS just totally made that up. And now I am getting asked about it by you, as if it’s a real thing, when it was made up in your office,” he added, saying that it’s a “full-circle rumor.”
Why isn’t she likely attending? Well, Swift isn’t up for any Grammy Awards this year, because she dropped her latest album after the eligibility period, which ended on August 30. For this year’s Grammys, the only music that qualifies was released between August 31, 2024 and August 30, 2025.
So, Swift fans and those who want to see her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl up for awards will have to wait until 2027. The Life of a Showgirl dropped on October 3, 2025. So, Swift will likely see her album up for awards in 2027.
The album rounded out the year at No. 1 on the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) tally of top-certified albums of the year for 2025, according to Billboard. It was also the fastest-selling album of all time in the U.S. and was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for a dozen weeks. Not too shabby, right?
Taylor Swift Thanks Her Listeners
” I have 4 million thank you’s I want to send to the fans, and 4 million reasons to feel even more proud of this album than I already was,” Swift said in a post on social media when the album dropped.
She added, “Thank you for going out to celebrate this project in the movie theaters, investing in vinyl, streaming, watching the video, buying CDs, reading the poems I wrote inside the packaging, and immersing yourselves in The Life of a Showgirl. I’ll cherish this feeling forever. Just wow. Thank you for the lovely bouquet.”
If you live in an area that is prone to extreme winter weather, then having a set of snow chains in your vehicle can be a life saver (don’t forget a car emergency kit either). Snow chains wrap around the drive wheels of your vehicle, so you can get started more easily and stop faster when driving on snow and ice. Snow chains will only help you if you install them correctly. Installing chains incorrectly or in the wrong road conditions could do costly damage to your tires and vehicle (which can be especially painful if you just invested in new snow tires). We talked to Paul Knoll of ExtremeTerrain, a company that sells off-road accessories for vehicles, for help with how to put on snow chains.
When Should I Use Snow Chains?
You should use snow chains only when roads become snow-packed or ice-covered, according to Knoll. “You can tell it’s time to use snow chains when you see snow piling up between your tire tracks, or when it’s difficult for your vehicle to get some momentum, or when driving through an untreated mountain road,” he says.
Your local department of transportation will also often put out alerts for when you should use snow chains. DOTs in states that experience a lot of snowfall, such as Colorado and Utah, may require drivers by law to have certain tire traction devices to drive on the road. You might also see highway signs in higher mountainous areas where tire chains are required.
Never use snow chains when driving on exposed pavement, dry or wet, as they can damage your tires along with the road.
If you’re planning to drive in mountainous areas in the winter, it’s important to check whether you’re legally required to have chains on your tires.
Getty Images
How to Put Chains on Tires
If you’re learning how to put snow chains on tires, then it’s best to practice at home in dry weather. Putting chains on tires for the first time at the side of the road when it’s snowing can be really challenging.
Pull your car as far off the road as you safely can without getting stuck, then turn on your hazard lights. “It’s a good idea to put on snow chains before it becomes a problem, before you actually get stuck,” Knoll says.
Lay out each set of chains so that they’re flat without any kinks or twists in them.
Tire chain installation instructions can vary slightly from model to model, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s installation instructions before getting started.
Pull the chains up and drape them over the tire, letting the chains fall loosely over each side of the wheel. Make adjustments until the chains hang evenly over the tire. It’s crucial that you make sure the hook side of the chain is pointing outward to prevent damage to the tire. Secure the inside link before the outside link, then tighten them as tightly as possible.
Secure the chains by hooking them together at the top of the wheel.
Drive the vehicle forward to expose the section of tire that doesn’t have chains attached to it yet.
Pull the chinas up over the uncovered part of the tire and connect the chains. “Secure the inside link before the outside link, then tighten them as tightly as possible,” Knoll says.
Repeat with the remaining wheels. Make sure the chains are aligned on the tires, then slowly drive forward so the chains tighten around the tires. “After driving, make a brief stop to recheck the tightness of the chains, as they tend to loosen when in motion,” Knoll advises.
You usually don’t need to put snow chains on all four wheels. “As a general rule, it is usually recommended that the snow chains be fitted only to the drive wheels,” Knoll says. “This means the front tires for cars with a front-wheel drive system or the rear tires for vehicles with a rear-wheel drive system.” There are some four-wheel drive vehicles that require chains on all four wheels, so it’s best to check vehicle specifications, Knoll says.
Driving Tips With Snow Chains
Your car performs differently when driving with snow chains, so you need to alter the way you drive.
Speed is key when driving with snow chains. Don’t drive over 30 miles per hour as doing so could damage your tires. “You also need to treat your tires with care, particularly when it comes to acceleration, braking, and turning,” Knoll says.
While driving over patches of exposed pavement with chains is okay, you should remove the chains as soon as you hit clear road to avoid damaging the tires.
If you think a chain has fallen off, stop your car immediately—driving with a broken chain can do a lot of damage to your car.
Drive conservatively. Leave ample space between you and the car in front of you, take turns slowly and avoid quick stops or accelerations that can cause you to lose traction and control of the vehicle.
You may still need chains if you have snow tires to drive in mountainous areas in severe winter weather where they are required. “Snow tires offer improved traction, but when you’re dealing with ice, you need the mechanical grip of chains that regular tires cannot provide,” Knoll says.
Can Snow Chains Damage Tires?
It is possible to damage tires with snow chains but only if you use them incorrectly. “If the chains are loose, they may slap against the tire and wheel well, resulting in uneven tire wear or suspension damage,” Knoll says. You can also damage them by driving too quickly with them on or by driving with them on dry roads.
Do I Need Snow Chains if I Have All-Wheel or Four-Wheel Drive?
While a car or truck with all-wheel or four-wheel drive is better equipped to drive in snow, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should skip the chains. “Four-wheel drive and snow tires are definitely a help, but they don’t necessarily eliminate the need for chains,” Knoll says. “In severe weather, even in areas where chain restrictions are in place, four-wheel drive and snow tires may be insufficient.” Local laws may also require snow chains even if you have four-wheel drive.
How Do I Store My Snow Chains?
After removing the snow chains, make sure they’re dry before putting them away. It’s also a good idea to spray them lightly with a lubricant, such as WD-40, which will protect them from rust. Store your chains in your vehicle during the winter, so you’re prepared. “A tip that sometimes gets overlooked is to have gloves, a light, and a small kneeler with you when installing snow chains,” Knoll says. “Doing so means that you can prepare for cold, dark, and messy conditions.”
Easily one of the most acclaimed artists in the world today, Kendrick Lamar earned the right to call himself the most nominated musician at the 2026 Grammy Awards. With all eyes on him, it is worth noting how he remains in top shape for his high-energy performances. The rapper can serve as inspiration to others who would like to undergo significant weight loss, as Lamar has.
Kendrick Lamar’s Daily Running Ritual
Kendrick Lamar running onstage during his Super Bowl performance in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
While talking with SZA in October 2024 for Harper’s Bazaar, Kendrick Lamar revealed that he goes for daily runs that last for miles. In addition to helping him stay in shape, Lamar also explained that the routine also allows him to feel connected to god as he pushes through the pain.
“I literally talk to God. Like, it’s to a point where I’ll be starting to think I’m going crazy. But then, He has to remind me, ‘No, this is really me.’ My early-morning practice is that I have to run. When I started running, that’s where I started to understand. There was this threshold of pain in the spirituality for me. I remember my shins was aching and I was like, I got one mile to go. Then I get whispers and downloads and start talking about s**t that I want to know about. And next thing I’m three miles in, four miles in. I wake up and do that s**t every day.”
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Big Protein’ Diet
Kendrick Lamar performs as part of British Summer Time Festival at Hyde Park in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Redferns)
In the Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem song “The Hillbillies,” Lamar rapped about his high-protein diet. “One-hundred and fifty grams of protein, Y’all gotta stop playin’, bro.” Before that, in October 2013, SZA also told Fader about Lamar’s healthy diet. “So Kendrick eats really well. In his hospitality rider there’s always a full fruit plate, salad and like, maybe a bottle of Hennessy for the homies, but not for him.”
The benefits of a high-protein diet have been the subject of a lot of discussion recently. That makes a lot of sense based on what an article from the University of Kansas Medical Center stated in February 2025 about how protein can help people lose weight.
“A high-protein diet promotes muscle maintenance and aids in weight loss by increasing satiety. Other benefits may include healthier blood sugar levels, bone health and metabolism and faster healing from injury. It also potentially lowers blood pressure, especially when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.”
The article went on to quote Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center who explained how beneficial a high-protein diet can b.e “If you are trying to lose weight, you may want to ensure you are getting sufficient protein as diets rich in protein seem to have moderate beneficial effects on body weight management.”
Kendrick Lamar’s Workout Routine
Rapper Kendrick Lamar was kneeling as he was performing onstage in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/AMA2016/FilmMagic)
In July 2023, it was learned that Kendrick Lamar had posted footage of himself working out on a burner Instagram account, @jojoruski. In one video, Lamar is seen performing modified burpees outdoors.
In February 2024, Ray Bass, a certified trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, wrote about the benefits of burpees. “A burpee is a full-body movement that engages your upper, core, and lower-body muscles. So it does more for you than isolation exercises that target one muscle group at a time. Here are the top benefits of burpees.” Bass went on to write that burpees build muscle strength, boost cardio fitness, support strong bones, and are convenient to perform at home or anywhere.
Lat pulldowns are a notoriously difficult exercise to master. Though the popular back exercise looks simple, many struggle to actually feel their lats engage. As a result, fully developing the back and achieving that coveted V-taper proves to be increasingly difficult. There are tons of back exercises you can rotate throughout your workouts, but it starts with mastering this staple lift. In a recent video, John Jewett, IFBB Pro, RD, and owner of J3 University and J3U Coaching, explained how to start feeling lat pulldowns in your back.
The latissimus dorsi, or lats for short, are fan-shaped muscles running from the mid to lower back and attach to the upper arm. Their job is simple: pull the upper arm from overhead and down towards the torso.
Proper setup is of the utmost importance. Assume a 10 to 20 degree lean back, but avoid an excessive arch in the spine. Brace your core as if you were about to get punched, and keep your arms close to the body. Jewett says a neutral grip works best, as excessively flaring the elbows takes the lats away from performing their main function.
One of the biggest lat pulldown mistakes Jewett frequently sees is letting the shoulder rise. Rather, the lat should initiate the movement by pulling the shoulder down.
“Drive that elbow down and in towards your hip all while keeping your core braced like you’re getting punched in the stomach,” Jewett says. “And the important part on the way back up—don’t let tension off the lat. I want you to push that elbow away from you and extend up and lengthen out the lat. The eccentric control is the game changer for keeping the lat involved.”
For extra control, consider trying single-arm pulldowns. They allow proper arm path and shoulder rotation, giving full lat stretch and contraction.
How to Do Lat Pulldowns
Lat Pulldowns
Sit and assume a slight 10 to 20 degree lean back with a neutral spine. Brace your core, and choose a narrow or shoulder-width neutral grip to keep your arms close to your torso.
Pulling your shoulders down. Drive your elbows down and in toward your hips, avoiding elbow flare or excessive arching of the back.
On the way up, resist the weight and fully lengthen the lats by letting the arms extend overhead without losing tension or letting the shoulders shrug.
With the NFL taking the weekend off to gear up for Super Bowl LX on February 8 between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, and the 2026 Australian Open crowning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Carlos Alcaraz earlier today, it may seem as if there aren’t many major sporting events to watch for the rest of February 1. Well, fear not. If you didn’t have plans to tune into the 2026 Grammy Awards and have the desire to watch some stiff athletic competition, the NBA has a highly anticipated matchup between LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers and Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks.
Now Sunday’s Lakers game obviously isn’t a playoff matchup or a part of February’s Annual NBA All-Star Weekend. However, after the Lakers’ big loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, January 28, James fans are all wondering if the 41-year-old’s retirement is closer than they thought. When speaking with the press post-game, James shared:
“I’m just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted. Because it could be (my last season). I obviously haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.”
This brief statement has sent avid NBA watchers and analysts into a frenzy, thinking the next few months in 2026 may be the superstar’s last in the league. So moving forward, every game James plays in becomes a must-watch event unless he makes it clear he has at least one more season in him. Case in point, the February 1 matchup between the Lakers and the Knicks.
Lakers vs Knicks Tickets Are Expensive
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The mystery surrounding King James’ retirement plan has created lots of demand, driving the price of the Lakers/Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on February 1 through the roof. Allegedly, tickets are so high, according to NBC Sports, that they’ve now become “the most expensive NBA regular-season game ticket since Kobe Bryant’s final game in Los Angeles, according to both Gametime and TickPick.”
As of publication, nosebleed seats on Seat Geek are at the very least going for $471, while some of the best seats left are going anywhere between $2,000 and $4,700. So it’s definitely going to cost if you want to see James live in MSG tonight.
How to Watch the Lakers vs Knicks Game on February 1
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 29: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Jesse D. GarrabrantNBAE via Getty Images)
For those ready to tune in and watch James and his Lakers go up against Brunson, James’ former coach (Mike Brown), and the rest of the Blue and Orange squad, the game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT. You’ll either need access to the NBC network TV channel or a subscription to Peacock to watch. With both teams having almost identical records (the Lakers are 29-18 and the Knicks are 30-18) and their starting lineups likely intact, tonight’s competition should be a good one.
The 2026 Grammy Awards take place on Sunday, Feb. 1, and it’s shaping up to be another big event. So, exactly who is performing at the Grammys, and what artists are up for top honors?
The 69th annual Grammys are set for the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Sunday night, featuring dozens of artists performing and presenting, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Katseye, Rosé and Tyler, the Creator and Sabrina Carpenter, among other.
While it’s usually easy to find the Grammys on TV, with so many streaming options now available, it’s gotten a bit tricker to know exactly when big events are streaming and on TV. So, let’s get into the details.
Who is Performing at the Grammys 2026?
There’s a long tally of performers at this year’s event. Artists slated to perform include Post Malone, Clipse and Pharrell Williams, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, the Marias and Alex Warren. Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson during the In Memoriam segment, as well as Ms. Lauryn Hill performing in honor of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.
There will be a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with Post Malone with Watt, Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Who is Nominated at the Grammys 2026?
One of the most coveted categories each Grammys is Album of the Year. This year, the 2026 Grammy nominees for Album of the Year are Bad Bunny for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Justin Bieber for Swag, Sabrina Carpenter for Man’s Best Friend, Clipse for Let God Sort Em Out, Lady Gaga for Mayhem, Kendrick Lamar for GNX, Leon Thomas for Mutt and Tyler, The Creator for Chromakopia. Also, top contenders in the 2026 Grammy Awards include Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter.
Trevor Noah will host the ceremony for the sixth consecutive year. This year will actually mark his final year emceeing the event. Other artists slated to present include Harry Styles, Doechii, Chappell Roan and Teyana Taylor.
So, who’s on top this year? For the 2026 edition, Kendrick Lamar has the lead with nine nominations for his album GNX and single “Luther.” Lady Gaga is right behind him with seven nominations. She ties for the second-most nominations with producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut. Also, Carpenter is nominated in the top three categories, and newer artist Leon Thomas has an impressive six nominations.
When Are the Grammys 2026?
The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony will air live on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. ET. But, even if you don’t have traditional cable there are ways to watch.
Viewers are also able to stream the event live online through a variety of Live TV streamers that have access to CBS, including DirecTV, Sling TV and Hulu+ Live TV.
How to Watch the Grammys Red Carpet
There are various red carpet feeds and pre-shows to switch before the ceremony start time. The official pre-show is “Grammy Live From the Red Carpet”official pre-show, which will stream live on live.GRAMMY.com starting at 6 p.m. ET. It will also be available to see on the Recording Academy’s YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Why We Love This Deal
Right now, Huckberry’s got a Winter Sale going on, offering big savings on more than 1,000 items. It lasts from now until midnight on February 8, so you’ll want to take full advantage of these hefty discounts on everything from boots to watches and all manner of adventure-ready fashion that makes Huckberry such a prime destination for rugged outdoorsmen.
One of the prime offerings is the Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Jacket, which can be had for a 40% discount. Two other colors of this jacket are already sold out, so you’ll need to act quickly if you want to take advantage of this deal.
Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Work Jacket, $136 (was $228) at Huckberry
Camo Shell: Real Tree camo, 100% cotton duck canvas
Collar: 14-wale cotton corduroy, 100% Cotton
Body/Sleeve Lining: 100% Nylon, 67 gsm
Fill: 76% recycled polyester, 24% Polyester
Sizes: small – XL
Of course all jackets have their uses, from casual hoodies to sturdy puffer-style ones, but everyone should own at least one that’s made for getting it done. It is relative but usually designates something necessary that makes you break a sweat and provides that sleep of the just that comes from working with your hands.
This special edition jacket features a patented Realtree Camo finish made from duck canvas. For those new to outdoor-friendly jackets, Realtree is the No. 1 name in camouflage products, with a legacy that’s 40 years strong. Besides being more than ready for hunting and fishing, this jacket is made to keep you warm any time of the day, whether you’re clearing brush at the crack of dawn or burning the midnight oil chopping firewood.
The pleated interior and corduroy collar give this jacket comfort and mobility, and frankly, you’ll look great in it even if you’re not doing anything exactly working. It’s equally well-suited for cozy cabin visits and sipping bourbon with friends in your backyard shindig.
This jacket currently holds a 4.8-star rating on Huckberry, with shoppers using superlatives such as “heavy duty,” “surprisingly warm,” and “very comfortable to work in.”
“In another life I’m doing cattle drives in Montana, and this is the jacket I’m wearing,” one shopper said. “It’s rugged, handsome, sturdy, comfy… it’s as good as it gets. My sons may fight over this jacket when I’m gone.”
The Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Work Jacket is currently 40% off at Huckberry with its annual Winter Sale. Shop it at the discounted price of $136 while you still can, as this popular jacket is currently flying off shelves.
Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Why We Love This Deal
Right now, Huckberry’s got a Winter Sale going on, offering big savings on more than 1,000 items. It lasts from now until midnight on February 8, so you’ll want to take full advantage of these hefty discounts on everything from boots to watches and all manner of adventure-ready fashion that makes Huckberry such a prime destination for rugged outdoorsmen.
One of the prime offerings is the Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Jacket, which can be had for a 40% discount. Two other colors of this jacket are already sold out, so you’ll need to act quickly if you want to take advantage of this deal.
Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Work Jacket, $136 (was $228) at Huckberry
Courtesy of Huckberry
What Shoppers Should Know
Camo Shell: Real Tree camo, 100% cotton duck canvas
Collar: 14-wale cotton corduroy, 100% Cotton
Body/Sleeve Lining: 100% Nylon, 67 gsm
Fill: 76% recycled polyester, 24% Polyester
Sizes: small – XL
Of course all jackets have their uses, from casual hoodies to sturdy puffer-style ones, but everyone should own at least one that’s made for getting it done. It is relative but usually designates something necessary that makes you break a sweat and provides that sleep of the just that comes from working with your hands.
This special edition jacket features a patented Realtree Camo finish made from duck canvas. For those new to outdoor-friendly jackets, Realtree is the No. 1 name in camouflage products, with a legacy that’s 40 years strong. Besides being more than ready for hunting and fishing, this jacket is made to keep you warm any time of the day, whether you’re clearing brush at the crack of dawn or burning the midnight oil chopping firewood.
The pleated interior and corduroy collar give this jacket comfort and mobility, and frankly, you’ll look great in it even if you’re not doing anything exactly working. It’s equally well-suited for cozy cabin visits and sipping bourbon with friends in your backyard shindig.
This jacket currently holds a 4.8-star rating on Huckberry, with shoppers using superlatives such as “heavy duty,” “surprisingly warm,” and “very comfortable to work in.”
“In another life I’m doing cattle drives in Montana, and this is the jacket I’m wearing,” one shopper said. “It’s rugged, handsome, sturdy, comfy… it’s as good as it gets. My sons may fight over this jacket when I’m gone.”
The Flint and Tinder Camo Realtree Mason Canvas Work Jacket is currently 40% off at Huckberry with its annual Winter Sale. Shop it at the discounted price of $136 while you still can, as this popular jacket is currently flying off shelves.
Over 10 years after its initial discovery, “the greatest sunken treasure in the history of humanity” still sits untouched at the bottom of the Caribbean Ocean as American treasure hunters, indigenous groups, and officials from Spain and Colombia battle over rightful ownership.
‘I Still Think I’m Dreaming’
Roger Dooley, a maritime archaeologist from Miami, made the remarkable discovery on Thanksgiving Day 2015, putting an end to his 31-year pursuit. It was the San José, a Spanish galleon which sank in 1708 as it made the cross to Spain carrying gold, silver and emeralds. The total value of the ship and its loot is considered to be $5 billion or more. “I’m still thinking I’m dreaming,” Dooley told The New York Post earlier this week.
The San José sank early in the evening of June 8, 1708, after British commodore Charles Wager attacked the ship off the coast of Cartagena. Wagner recalled in his journals that the ship “blew up” and that “the heat of the blast came very hot upon us and several splinters of plank and timber came aboard us afire.” Of the 600 people aboard the San José, only about 12 survived.
But the contents of the ship are still tied up in arbitration. The Court of Permanent Arbitration in The Hague had been expected to issue a ruling on the matter early this year, which would decide whether the ship should belong to a single American salvage company or if Dooley and his crew are entitled to a 45 percent share after Colombia declared the wreck and its contents “objects of cultural interest.”
Dooley, now 81, didn’t expect to ignite an international incident with the discovery. Spain has invoked sovereign immunity to stake claim on its lost naval vessels, no matter where in the world they’re discovered, and has made clear its opinion that the San José should not be moved from its “mass grave.” But Colombia wishes to stake claim on the vessel, too, contending that the wreck came to rest at the edge of the country’s territorial waters and smack in the middle of its “exclusive economic zone.” Colombia has already recovered a smattering of less-valuable items, such as coins and weapons, from the San José.
RICARDO MALDONADO ROZO/EPA
Sea Search Armada, an American company, contends that it first located the wreck in 1980 and therefore deserves a cut of the treasure. While a Colombian civil court ruled that the SSA is entitled to half of any treasure found within the ship, the ruling has rankled some who contend that there was never any wreck at the coordinates provided by SSA. Many believe the ship discovered by the SSA in 1980 was not the San José. At the same time, indigenous groups in Spain and Colombia argue that the treasure should be theirs, as it most certainly was taken through forced labor and should be treated as reparations.
‘Rightful Owner Is Humanity Itself’
But Sancton is adamant that the treasure should belong to no single person. Rather, he suggests the proper course of action would be to inter the items in a museum for the public to see. “The Spanish treasure fleets were transporting the riches of an entire continent across oceans, laying the foundation of our globalized system of commerce and shaping the modern world,” he said. “The rightful owner of the ship is humanity itself.”
