Horizon highlights – Valentines edition

Our regular roundup of sci-tech stories from across the Web includes: A plan for saving satellite radio and a radio show for gadget lovers with a sense of humor. Let’s kick it off:

Culture: On 'Darwin Day,' many Americans beg to differ
"This Thursday, celebrations are under way worldwide to mark Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. From Argentina to Australia, people are gathering for film screenings, quiz contests, and museum exhibits on "Darwin Day" – along with at least one "survival of the fittest" cake-eating contest.In the US, though, Darwin remains a controversial figure. Two centuries after the famed naturalist's birth, more than 40 percent of Americans believe human beings were created by God in their present form, according to recent polls from Gallup and the Pew Research Center – a view impossible to reconcile with evolution propelled by natural selection." [via CSMonitor]

Cluttered orbit: Satellite collision highlights space-junk threat
"The collision between a US and Russian satellite some 500 miles above Siberia has raised concerns about the threat posed by orbital garbage. A few minutes before 5 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, a US Iridium communications satellite and a defunct Russian military communications satellite smashed into each other, creating at least 600 pieces of debris that each could strike other satellites. It was the first time that two intact orbiting spacecraft have crashed into each other, say officials." [via Bright Green blog]

Podcast: "Gadgettes" chat about Valentine's Day gadgets
"What used to be romantic tends to be seen as just plain creepy these days. And quite possibly somewhat stalker-ish too. So of course, we do what we always do when it comes to gadgets and accessories that have the potential of abuse...we mock them endlessly." [via CNET podcast]

Business: Satellite Diss
"Sirius XM bet on a losing technology. Here's how the company can save itself." [via Slate]

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