10 Predictions for Technology in 2009

The BBC's Peter Day talks with Seattle-based Mark Anderson about technology trends in 2009. Well worth a listen!

Live on BBC London

For the past month I've been listening to George Webley and Ray Khan, hosts on BBC London Radio 94.9FM. The timing is perfect for me: 2am - 6am their time, which is 6pm - 10pm my time. My most productive work time has long been in the evening but I feel the need to have some low level talk radio in the background.

I love these shows because:

• Real subjects are discussed
  
• The political correctness is minimal
• The hosts are fantastic
• There are no commercials

I find it absolutely fascinating to tap into the proverbial Zeitgeist of a society on the other side of the world. What shouldn't be surprising is that the same problems of crime, traffic, and poverty exist in London as in Vancouver.

So this evening I finally called in! Actually, I just wrote George and then his associate, Ollie, called me back. The topic I discussed with George was my perception that there's a much more established class system in England than in Canada. George pretty much confirmed this. It's somewhat sad to me that a young man or woman feels that they can't achieve the greatest professional heights simply because of the socio-economic strata they came from. But my Canadian naivety is clearly showing through because even in 2007 this is probably more common than not around the world.

Oh by the way, I may have said something about George & Ray being the Batman & Robin of BBC Radio. But I assure you it was done with great fondness & respect!

Now, more than ever, I will keep on listening, writing, and now calling into their shows!

A Great Late Night Radio Show

I've started listening on a regular basis to "Big George", an eccentric Brit who hosts a crazy, commercial free radio show on BBC London. Over there it runs live between 2am and 6am but here are the listening times in North America:

• Western Coast: 6pm - 10pm
• Eastern Coast: 9pm - 1am

I believe I am the only listener in Canada but if not then write George to prove me wrong: biggeorge@bbc.co.uk

Big George's program website can be found here and his external website can be found here.

You can listen to the BBC London station here and you can watch live video from the studio here. If you don't already have it, you can get a free copy of RealPlayer here.

American Car Industry: Tick, Tick, Tick . . .

Peter Day, BBC's brilliant business journalist, has just broadcast a segment on the great success of Toyota and the great disaster of the American Big Three. Apparently this fall will determine the future or the demise of the latter. I'm not holding out hope that management and their unions will make the right decision. You can listen to it here.