Day Twenty Two

Now Listen here!

Having so much time at home has meant (apart from incipient madness) the leisure to explore what my newly acquired Google Mini, voice-operated artificial intelligence unit, can do.

Getting up at 5am glue-eyed and still brain grogged, all I have to say is, ‘Hey Google, what time is it?’  (as if it mattered when I’m locked down!) and it tells me.  

It’s a reflex action to say ‘thank you’  and I don’t want to lower  my standards even when talking to a machine. It tells me I’m very welcome; a little touch of polite humanity.

For those with access to transport and a social life, in normal times it can advise on bus timetables, taxis, the nearest Thai restaurant (and indeed any eatery or pub); garages, cinemas (including what’s playing there) festivals and workshops in any part of the world.

It’s also a fount of all knowledge on history, spelling, cookery (want to make a chocolate gateau?) and even palaeontology.  If you can find it on the Internet the Mini can tell you.

It can do so many things which no longer impact on my life and as I’m not a music fan, its almost infinite range of songs and bands to play is lost on me.

Neither am I interested in news and politics, though if I were, it could take me to hundreds of different radio stations around the world to listen in a multiplicity of languages.

However, the radio station I prefer and which used to be one of the few things I missed about England before Auntie Beeb went digital,  is BBC Radio 4.  

You don't need a Mini to listen, anyone with a PC, iPad or laptop can access this excellent spoken-word station which rarely plays music except within a quiz such as ‘Counterpoint’, now in its 23^rd Series and hosted by Paul Gambaccini, seen right. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00704s1

There’s a little movie music on the hilarious ‘Gaby’s Talking Pictures’ quiz where the contestants and audience have so much fun, I seriously wondered if free booze or wacky baccy had been provided.  Gaby Roslin is the host and you can find the show here:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b9109v  

Stories and drama occur every day and I’ve just finished listening to, ‘Adventures in Human Being’ by Dr Gavin Francis, beautifully read by Scottish actor, Bill Paterson.  

Francis studied medicine at Edinburgh University before setting off on a tour which included all five continents - he’s even worked in the Antarctic.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xj1qd

Ever wondered if Cannabidiol (CBD), is really the panacea it’s advertised to be? Or if caffeine shampoos can thicken or save your hair? ‘The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread’ looks into products and discussed their efficacy with experts.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0002c3c/episodes/guide

Of course if you want music,  there’s everything from ancient folk songs through  classical, C&W and rock here:     https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

If, like me, you are in total isolation and miss the human voice, explore the infinite variety of the BBC, podcasts and live programmes, available 24 hours a day and completely free.