Experts
Regulars
Richard Dawkins Frank Close Mike Fisher
Update 13
Dawkins is a world-renowned Close was chairman of the UK As chairman of the British
evolutionary biologist and Space Exploration Working Group. Association of Anger Management
Mindgames 92
bestselling science author. On page 21 has a look at the and author of Beating Anger,
On page 46 he reveals how to win International Space Station Mike Fisher knows about temper
an argument with a creationist. and asks if it’s worth the money. control. See more on page 55.
Post 94
The last word 98
The first word
MegaPixel
Astounding images of
Happy Birthday Charlie. Two hundred surf the web pretty well. But that was
the Red Planet taken
years since his birth, Charles Darwin’s before I checked out the other 12-page
by the Mars rovers
6
name still resonates around the globe, special in this issue on the best ways
his grand idea of natural selection to hack your home (p23). Gadget guru
often stirring up controversy between Rahiel Nasir (aka Naz) has trawled
scientifi c and religious institutions. every far-fl ung recess of his wired The Guide
Ironically, Darwin shied away from brain to reveal how to get the best
his original calling – the church – and out of your home gadgets. Plus, he
Objects of desire 73
against his father’s wishes sailed busts all that Wi-Max, Slingbox, GIMP
Must-have tech toys
away in pursuit of his true passion jargon that’s been puzzling your
Five of the best 77
– natural history. It was during the subconscious. And he explains the
Laptop bags rated
fi ve-year voyage, while collecting ins and outs of the digital switchover,
specimens of numerous weird and coming to a town near you soon – if it
How to… 78
wonderfully exotic creatures, that the hasn’t arrived already.
Travel with your laptop
seed of natural selection planted itself And any other techie questions that Tried & Tested 80
in Darwin’s mind, growing into the have been bugging you for a while, Coffee machines on test
basis of the theory of evolution that’s you can pitch to Tech Doc. Much
Games 84
still recognised today. as I love iPlayer to catch up on my
Free running and mythology
Many would argue that Darwin is favourite programmes, I got fed up
one of the most important scientists with the likes of Spooks being rudely
Online 85
of all time. To celebrate his life interrupted by buffering, so I asked
Speech recognition software
and works, on page 36 renowned Tech Doc what software I need to
Books & DVDs 86
evolutionary biologist Richard download the programme onto my PC
The best to read and watch
Dawkins kicks off a 12-page special – turn to page 78 to fi nd out.
looking at what Darwin’s theory of Also in this issue: meet the
What’s on 90
Dates for your diary
evolution means in the 21st century. 21st-century code breakers (p49),
Then on page 37 top-notch science the extreme way to deal with anger
writer Carl Zimmer reports from the management – ‘destruction therapy’
Features
lab where evolution actually occurs (p55). And my favourite Q&A this
right under your nose. Plus, fi nd out month (p62): will hedgehogs ever
iHome 23
the six major things that Darwin learn to ‘stop, look and listen’ before
Home entertainment nirvana
never fi gured out (p42), biologists crossing? Genius!
Evolution in action 37
Steve Jones and PZ Meyers argue over At the lab where it’s happening
whether human evolution has come
Is evolution dead? 44
to a standstill (p44), and Richard
Conquering natural selection
Dawkins gives tips on how to win an
argument against a creationist (p46).
Richard Dawkins 46
Rocket escape
system tested 14
Confounding the creationists
iHome
Cryptology 49
Now. I like to think of myself as a
The code breakers’ war
fairly next-gen gal when it comes
to home entertainment. Indeed, I
Destruction therapy 55
thought I knew how to hook up my
Anger management gets extreme
new HD telly, listen to music and
What I’ve found out this month
Q&A
60
Why do
62
z A billion viruses can be created by mutating one gene (p40) Your questions answered
we crave
junk food?
z Running in the rain keeps you drier (p62)
• Do bees have knees?
z It costs £80 to buy someone’s identity on the black market (p69)
www.bbcfocusmagazine.com February 2009 5
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