Space in the vicinity around our planet is getting quite full, or at least full for space. We are a messy species, and low-Earth orbit is apparently no exception to our "we'll clean up later" rule. One concern about the debris is that it could cause the "Kessler Effect" (or Kessler Syndrome). Simply put, the Kessler Effect is where a single event (such as the explosion of a satellite) in low-Earth orbit creates a chain reaction, as debris destroys other objects in orbit. Should this happen, the debris could keep colliding with other objects, potentially causing communication problems and leaving areas of space inaccessible to spacecraft. Essentially, it could end up like the film Gravity, but with less George Clooney doing great eyebrow work and more "Hey what happened to my GPS". At worst, some speculate it could essentially trap us here on Earth, unable to leave.But, there are more immediate problems to deal with before we have to worry about the Kessler effect; space junk is falling to Earth and crashing into people's property. NASA is currently being sued by a family in Florida after a piece of equipment used to load batteries onto a cargo pallet onboard the International Space Station remained intact during re-entry, and fell through the roof of their home. Videos from China, meanwhile, show what is suspected to be debris from a Chinese rocket falling down to Earth.        IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.How bad is the problem? Well, apparently bad enough to warrant hotlines. In a statement given to WLOS13 reporter Justin Berger, NASA confirmed that debris found over North Carolina came from SpaceX's Crew Dragon. In the statement, NASA advised anyone who finds such space debris not to handle it, but to contact SpaceX's Debris Hotline at 1-866-623-0234 or email recovery@spaceX.com. SpaceX first set up a hotline for space debris after the SpaceX CRS-7 resupply mission to the International Space Station ended in an explosion.  So far, only one person – Lottie Williams of Tulsa, Oklahoma – is believed to have been hit by falling space debris, after a piece of a Delta II rocket struck her harmlessly on the shoulder as she walked through a park. Though the odds against this happening to you are astronomical, one study looking at de-orbited rockets and population densities suggested that the odds of somebody getting hit in the next decade are around 10 percent. So maybe jot down that hotline number, just in case.

ABC "newsman" George Stephanopoulos raised some eyebrows on his book-interview tour on CNN. He has boasted to his liberal journalist friends that he will not continue with any interview with a Republican if they won’t concede Joe Biden won in 2020. This should not be a hard test to pass. But Democrat partisans like this man will pull a trigger if you suggest that the election was “rigged.” You’re not even allowed to suggest the media was unfair, or all the ballot rules were watered down for the pandemic.  Stephanopoulos told CNN’s Abby Phillip: “I’ve made it a point, if they will not accept those facts, I don’t go on to other issues. I’m not going to participate in some kind of a sham where you somehow equate the legitimacy of an election or the peaceful transfer of power with a debate over tax cuts or environmental regulation.” Democrats think "democracy” should be the number one issue – as they define it. And in this cycle, they’ve defined it as pressuring Republicans to accept their 2024 defeat. When they say they won’t accept defeat in advance, they get another six pestering questions about how they won’t accept election results…that haven’t happened yet. You’re allowed to proclaim if Trump wins, democracy has ended. You’re not allowed to say the 2024 election result is open-ended. Stephanopoulos told Mediaite, “I think it’s journalistic malpractice to do a live interview with President Trump on television.” This aligns with MSNBC partisan Rachel Maddow, who always proclaims that “news” channels can’t run Trump live. That’s why you know they’ll pull out their hair watching a live debate. By that standard, Trump wins by accepting any debate terms that let him speak live. But four years ago, Stephanopoulos demonstrated what his actual standards are, and they’re partisan. Due to a canceled debate, the candidates submitted to individual town-hall formats. Trump was perpetually interrupted and debated by Savannah Guthrie on NBC. Biden was treated to a gentle chat on ABC with Stephanopoulos, who asked nothing about the New York Post stories on Hunter Biden’s laptop. Most of the audience questions came from the left. The networks actually delighted in the flagrant bias the next day. Biden-boosting ABC reporter Mary Bruce gushed, “Joe Biden spending much of the night looking ahead, outlining his plans for the future, while the president, often combative, spent much of the night on defense.” This is why public trust in the establishment media has cratered. Their ideal scenario is the Republicans are grilled, and the Democrats are massaged. A few weeks ago, they touted the ideal scenario of Trump trapped in a courtroom versus Biden out shaking hands with voters on the campaign trail. Stephanopoulos and others have aggressively "fact checked" anyone who dares to suggest Biden's people could be behind trapping Trump in a courtroom...even when the Biden Justice Department's #3 official left to join the Democrat prosecution team in Manhattan. They assert, in defiance of the evidence, that the Biden Justice Department is not political, and any Republican who says it's political is creating a "toxic environment" in Washington. So said ABC's Justice Department reporter Pierre Thomas...subbing in on the Stephanopoulos Sunday show.  Never mind that their special counsel probing Biden's mishandling of classified documents oh-so-helpfully decided not to prosecute because Biden would appear amiably feeble, while the special counsel on Trump's mishandling of classified documents aggressively indicted him on 37 felony counts.  Punishing Trump, coddling Biden -- this is what our media elite considers a well-functioning democracy and apolitical justice. 

For conservative families seeking a vacation featuring Christian attractions, there is no shortage of intriguing faith-based destinations across the United States. The U.S. – founded on Judeo-Christian principles – offers a myriad of spiritual experiences from coast to coast. Christian attractions vary from places providing education on biblical history to the architectural splendor of iconic cathedrals to religious entertainment venues. A Christian family vacation in the U.S. presents renowned landmarks that celebrate and promote biblical history. These Christian experiences boast interactive exhibits, moving performances, and educational workshops that engage visitors of all ages in embracing and honoring their cherished faith. Planning a Christian travel vacation presents an opportunity to achieve spiritual enrichment while creating memorable bonding moments with your family. The religious destinations featured in this travel guide offer much more than just recreational sightseeing — the faith-based attractions provide opportunities to deepen spiritual roots and strengthen family bonds. Creation Museum Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Just a short drive from Cincinnati is the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. This state-of-the-art interactive museum gives your family the opportunity to travel back in time and venture on a biblical journey. This top Christian attraction features nearly 150 thought-provoking exhibits spanning 75,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces. The museum's mystical Stargazer Planetarium takes you on an awe-inspiring exploration of the cosmos, unveiling the marvels of the universe and a revelation of how what we see in the night sky confirms God’s word in Genesis. There are also educational programs, workshops, and special events to educate curious Christian minds of all ages. Outside attractions include a zip line adventure course, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, botanical gardens, and a koi pond, and you can interact with animals at the Eden Zoo. Address: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY Phone Number: (888) 582-4253 Website: Creation Museum Ark Encounter Ron Buskirk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Those visiting the Creation Museum should consider a short 40-minute trip to its sister location – the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. The Old Testament book of Genesis comes alive with this life-size Noah's Ark replica that stands a whopping 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. Inside the ark are three decks that explore the biblical story of the great flood. Visitors can view animal models, dioramas, and interactive displays that bring the story to life. There's also a playground, zip lines, and of course a zoo. The must-see attraction has welcomed around 1 million visitors per year, making it one of the most popular religious attractions in the U.S. In 2020, the Ark Encounter was named the best religious museum in the United States by USA Today. The Creation Museum was named the second-best religious attraction. Address: 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY Phone Number: (855) 284-3275 Website: Ark Encounter The Great Passion Play Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Nestled in the heart of the stunning Ozark Mountains lies an unforgettable theatrical experience for Christians. The Great Passion Play takes you on a powerful journey through the final days of Jesus Christ's life, including his crucifixion and resurrection. The play is performed at a vast outdoor amphitheater with a large cast, live animals, elaborate sets, and a state-of-the-art sound system that delivers an immersive experience for the audience. The Great Passion Play debuted in 1968 and is the highest-attended outdoor drama in America, according to the Institute of Outdoor Drama in Greenville, North Carolina. There are many other Christian attractions in the Eureka Springs area, including a 67-foot Jesus Christ statue. There is a two-hour Holy Land guided tour of a full-sized replica of the East Jerusalem Gate and Marketplace and exhibits inspired by the Bible such as Moses’ Tabernacle in the Wilderness, Bethlehem Inn and the Nativity, the Upper Room, the Garden Tomb, and the Walk with Peter. The Bible Museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 6,000 Bible manuscripts in over 625 languages and dialects and other fascinating artifacts The Sacred Arts Museum features hundreds of pieces of religious art dating back as early as the 9th century. The Cultural and Biblical History Museum showcases exhibits that provide an overview of the history of creation and humanity and how the Bible fits this timeline. There are also religious presentations and workshops for visitors to enjoy. Address: 935 Passion Play Road, Eureka Springs, AR Phone Number: (800) 882-7529 Website: The Great Passion Play St. Patrick’s Cathedral Joan Slatkin/Universal Images Group via Getty Images St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located in New York City, is one of the most visited religious attractions in the United States. The cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was laid in 1858, and the decorated neo-Gothic masterpiece opened in 1879. The iconic religious landmark showcases over 1,300 intricate stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in a kaleidoscope of colors. The main section of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral is constructed of Tuckahoe marble. The Great Rose Window, measuring 26 feet in diameter, is particularly breathtaking. Elaborately carved altars, statues, and Stations of the Cross add to the rich visual tapestry. Located in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City, the cathedral takes up a full city block. You'll be greeted by towering spires reaching 329.5 feet high. The northern tower houses 19 bells, and the interior features two magnificent pipe organs. St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the archbishop of New York and is a parish church. St. Patrick's Cathedral is often referred to as "America's Parish Church" and is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. The cathedral offers guided tours, self-guided audio tours, and VIP private tours to visitors. Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY Phone Number: (212) 755-4128 Website: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Temple Square George Frey/Getty Images If you're planning a family vacation, you may want to consider a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. That's where you will find the Temple Square – the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 10-acre complex spans five city blocks in the heart of Salt Lake City. Temple Square offers a unique blend of religious education, cultural exploration, musical entertainment, and fun that appeals to family members of all ages. Get started with your trip at Temple Square by heading to the two visitor's centers, where there are exhibits about Jesus Christ, the history of the LDS Church, and a replica of the Christus statue. Children can learn about Utah's history and Mormon pioneer heritage. Music lovers can catch a performance by the renowned Tabernacle Choir, which has won Grammy Awards. Guests can enjoy magnificent organ recitals in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle. The 11,623-pipe Tabernacle organ features prominent golden pipes made of round wood staves, hand-carved from Utah timber. The organ comes alive thanks to the extraordinary acoustics of the Tabernacle, where a pin dropped at the pulpit can clearly be heard at the back of the hall — 170 feet away. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also offers the FamilySearch Library – one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world. The FamilySearch Library provides resources to visitors to search for their genealogical roots at no cost. The Church History Museum houses collections of Latter-day Saints art and artifacts and also offers self-guided exhibits about the history of the LDS Church. The Brigham Young Historic Park is an outdoor attraction features statues memorializing the lives of the Latter-day Saints who arrived in Salt Lake City in the 1840s. Address: 50 N West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT Phone Number: (800) 363-6027 Website: Temple Square Museum of the Bible Alex Wong/Getty Images If your family vacation destination is Washington, D.C., you definitely want to take some time to visit the Museum of the Bible in the center of the nation's capital. Visitors can explore 430,000 square feet of rare religious artifacts as old as 4,000 years old, interactive exhibits, and immersive experiences that bring biblical stories to life. The museum – which has six levels – features themes on each floor: stories of the Bible, history of the Bible, history and archaeology of ancient Israel, and treasures from the Vatican. There is also a rooftop garden with panoramic views of Washington. The Museum of the Bible – built in 2017 and located near the National Mall – also boasts biblical art, ancient scrolls, and rare manuscripts. There are also educational workshops, lectures, and faith-based multimedia presentations for the entire family. Guests can walk on land through the Red Sea and a recreated Nazareth village. The World Stage Theater hosts invigorating concerts, theatrical shows, soul-stirring speaking engagements, and spellbinding musicals. There is a restaurant with biblically inspired food. Address: 400 4th St SW, Washington, DC Phone Number: (866) 430-6682 Website: Museum of the Bible Christ Cathedral RBL/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images The Christ Cathedral is not just an architectural marvel. The religious landmark also presents spiritual enrichment. The Christ Cathedral – formerly known as the Crystal Cathedral – is located in Garden Grove, California. The eye-catching reflective glass structure was designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson and comprises more than 10,000 panes of glass. The massive glass cathedral can seat 2,248 people. It also features the Hazel Wright Organ – one of the largest organs in the world. The Hazel boasts 302 stops, 293 ranks, and 17,106 pipes. The organ has five manuals and a pedal clavier. The resources are managed by 384 drawknobs, 66 coupler tabs, 115 combination pistons, 55 toe studs, 64 combination memories, 62 miscellaneous controls, four expression pedals, and a crescendo pedal with four independent settings. The stunning Christ Cathedral sits on a 34-acre campus and is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. The cathedral grounds showcase beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures. The Memorial Gardens offer a serene space for religious reflection. The Tower of Hope offers panoramic views of Orange County. The Christ Cathedral regularly hosts Christian events, and tours are available. Address: 13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA Phone Number: (714) 971-2141 Website: Christ Cathedral Sight & Sound Theatre For Christian families seeking a meaningful and spiritually uplifting vacation experience, the Sight & Sound Theatre is a unique choice. Since 1987, the Sight & Sound Theatre has featured full-length biblical productions with a focus on presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Sight & Sound Theatre has two locations: Branson, Missouri, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Each theater boasts different shows that dramatize the Scriptures and bring them to life on stage. There are different shows each season, known for having elaborate costumes and enchanting sets. The theaters are renowned for their breathtaking live-stage productions based on biblical stories that are for audiences of all ages. Another benefit to Christian travelers is that Branson and Lancaster offer a bevy of family-friendly attractions. Branson Address: 1001 Shepherd of the Hills Expy, Branson, MO Lancaster Address: 300 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks, PA Phone Number: (800) 377-1277 Website: Sight & Sound Theatre BibleWalk Take a faith-based walk back in time to see biblical legends come alive at the BibleWalk in Mansfield, Ohio. BibleWalk – Ohio's only wax museum – features more than 325 wax figures in 100 life-size dioramas that depict various scenes from the Bible like Noah's ark, the last supper, and the crucifixion of Christ. Some of the biblical icons include Jesus, Adam and Eve, Moses, David, and the apostles. Each exhibit is meticulously crafted and lets families experience the stories of the Bible in a tangible way. The BibleWalk provides Christian education for children that is more entertaining than learning in a traditional classroom setting. Christians can visualize lessons from the Bible to gain a better understanding of biblical events and their significance. The exhibits include "The Life of Christ," "Miracles of the Old Testament," "The Kingdom of God," "The Ten Commandments," "The Journeys of Paul," and "The Nativity." There are several tour options available for visitors. Address: 500 Tingley Avenue, Mansfield, OH Phone Number: (800) 222-0139 Website: BibleWalk Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy wrote a New York Times op-ed calling for warning labels on social media platforms akin to those on tobacco products. These labels would apply to social media platforms rather than censorship tools to warn users away from individual posts or accounts. Murthy’s announcement was met with support from both sides of the aisle. Former President Barack Obama applauded the Surgeon General's support for “sensible rules to mitigate the damaging effects of social media on kids’ mental health,” and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) posted a tweet giving thanks for his comments on social media’s dangers. Free speech is necessary for humans to use reason in their pursuit of truth and the common good, strengthening the social order and human flourishing. Lawmakers have been discussing the issue for some time. Prior to Murthy’s recent statements, both Republican and Democrat lawmakers had already floated legislation restricting social media use for minors. For example, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) are leading a bipartisan group of senators to introduce a bill to keep kids off social media. In March 2024, Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning kids under 14 from creating social media accounts while allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to create accounts with parental consent.While an increasingly attractive political target, social media is tricky to regulate broadly or well. Most parents are at least moderately concerned with their children being exposed to explicit content, wasting too much time, experiencing depression and anxiety, or being bullied on social media. And these concerns aren’t unfounded. Studies show that high social media use harms mental health and negatively impacts one’s body image. But it’s not certain whether warning labels actually impact behavior. At the end of the day, a lot of parents probably do not care or are simply ignorant about the potential side effects of social media. Despite the obvious dangers of social media, many worry their children will be seen as “weird,” feel left out, or simply get left behind socially without social media. Parents who themselves feel behind the tech curve may naively believe that their children are wiser than their parents on the issue or suppose that their exceptional children won’t be too badly affected by social media’s attention-span-destroying algorithms. Striking at the rootRegardless of the efficacy of warning labels, the Surgeon General’s comments possess the right spirit, and may be a signal of public policy moving in the right direction. Real progress on the issue means taking the limits of warning labels in stride and pushing still more aggressively toward the roots of social media’s worst problems, where, whatever the difficulties with regulation, Big Tech can hardly be trusted to regulate itself. Congress should, for instance, restrict access to pornography, one of the most harmful facets of social media. In fact, the Surgeon General’s op-ed calls for Congress to pass legislation to “shield young people from ... sexual content that appears too often in algorithm-driven feeds.” The pornography industry is booming, and what’s most concerning is that its success is partly due to the increasing consumption of it by boys younger than 18. A report by Common Sense Media showed that the majority of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 said they have watched pornography. Some have come across it by age 10. Perhaps of still greater significance than such early exposure are the damaging problems caused by chronic pornography consumption. Studies have shown that porn consumption is linked to increased problem sexualized behaviors and higher rates of sexually aggressive and dangerous behaviors. Porn harms families and relationships, and a porn addiction is almost as bad as a drug addition. Many on the right find porn detestable on a personal level but have philosophical qualms with anti-porn legislation and appeal to the First Amendment’s protections of freedom of expression — even though restricting porn doesn’t run afoul of the First Amendment insofar as obscene speech and expression is unprotected. A federal pornography ban is something Congress can and should work toward. Free speech is necessary for humans to use reason in their pursuit of truth and the common good, strengthening the social order and human flourishing. Content that degrades the soul and disrupts society, through both the consumer and the producer sides, cuts against the spirit of the First Amendment. But, practically, a ban may be difficult to enforce. It’s easy to see courts disagreeing, perhaps vehemently, over what “counts” as pornographic, obscene, or harmful and at what age. An alternative and compromise to a federal ban would probably gain more traction faster: a mandate, for instance, to paywall all sexually explicit content putting the burden on porn companies to verify the age of their users. Such legislation addresses many prominent free-speech concerns while protecting those who are harmed by porn the most. Band-Aids in the form of social media warning labels are better than nothing. But Americans need more protection than that — and can get it without harming their Constitutional rights.

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