Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
The spate of warnings about the existential risks for humanity as a result of insufficiently controlled Artificial Intelligence may remind some listeners of our commentary on 6th November 2023, following the first world leaders' summit on AI at Bletchley Park. The charity Share Alliance has made significant progress since then with its research into 'Stock for Data & Creativity', and we look forward to hear how these proposals for global application and new processes of shareholder participation and oversight are seen in UK Government circles. Background music: 'Digital Solitude' by Silent Partner
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
With the summer holidays drawing to a close in the next few days, the new team at HM Treasury will be busy looking at fresh ideas for the Budget on 28th October. The challenging economic situation calls for a fresh look at some of the underlying strategies which have driven debt so high over the past half-century. The really big problem is the extent to which 'universal, free-at-the-point-use' health care has caused deep generational unfairness; that, combined with the triple lock and unfunded state pensions, place real burdens on young generations. It's time for a major change in the underlying logic. Background music: 'People Watching' by Sir Cubworth
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin is moderately impressed with Apple's new phone operating system and with Siri AI but warns of the dangers of searching for cheap iPhones. Uber is recruiting people with regional accents to train AI. The Ig Nobel Prizes have been awarded to scientists burying underpants, milking cockroaches and smelling babies. AI agents have developed a new language to speed communications amongst themselves and it is surprisingly poetical. Gatwick Airport has introduced robots to park cars, with a few caveats. There's a crowd-funded self-powered treadmill for chickens and ducks. Cyborg cockroaches will now be able to deliver injections to those trapped in disaster zones.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson thought the belated #1 Practical Magic 2 with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock akin to a mediocre syrupy episode of the old TV show Bewitched. But he was bewitched by #3 Pressure, based on David Haig's true-life play. Andrew Scott is the Scottish weatherman advising Brendan Fraser's Eisenhower on the feasibility of landing Allied forces in France. Playing out like a courtroom thriller, James feels this brilliant film is one of the greatest portrayals of a World War 2 figure. He is full of admiration for the supernatural thriller Obsession, out on Blu-Ray. It is beautifully made and acted, with every frame used for maximum effect. The film is deeply unsettling but it works wonderfully. He is also a fan of Apple TV's buddy comedy Mayday. Set in 1987, Ryan Reynolds is an American pilot who crashes in Russia near the home of hermit Kenneth Branagh, who is the funniest he has been in ages.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
Retiring early, making your time your own and sticking it to the man is something many of us will have dreamed of. But what would it take you to get there and how much would you need to start investing now depending on your age and when you want to kick back? Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert look at the early retirement dream. Is it realistic, what do you gain and what do you give up, and why is it vitally important for some to use an ISA as well as a pension? One thing hampering many of our saving efforts is the cost of living and now inflation warnings are coming thick and fast again. How dire are the predictions, how likely are they to come true, what does it mean for the rest of your finances — and what’s the cost of a weekly shop got to do with things? Plus, the Renters’ Rights Act is about to deliver a landlord register, but is that a good idea or more red tape? And finally, trading cards are worth big money and catching the attention at the moment, so how did Lee become an accidental collector?
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
While Apple has continued to be a great business, it’s been a minute since the company issued a new product that made us go “wow”. With new CEO John Ternus coming from the hardware side of the business, it comes as little surprise that one of the first things it announced was a major change to the iPhone, the iPhone Duo. Matt, Jon, and Tyler break down how this launch could impact the bottom line and whether this is a sign of what Apple will look like under Ternus. Plus, Chewy & Casey’s General Store earnings and what makes a good acquirer. Tyler Crowe, Jon Quast, and Matt Frankel discuss Chewy’s earnings, Casey’s General Store earnings, Apple’s new iPhone Duo and new CEO, and — new focus? Plus, is acquisition a good strategy? Companies discussed: CHWY, CASY, APPL, AJG. Host — Tyler Crowe; Guests — Jon Quast, Matt Frankel.
Guests: Jon Quast,Matt Frankel
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
After decades of spin-offs and separations of various parts, GE Aerospace is now trending toward integration. Its $11.75 billion acquisition of Consolidation Precision Products is taking what business schools have been teaching for years (specialisation, capital light) and flipping it on its head. Lou, Travis, and Tyler dissect the GE aerospace deal, how it impacts the aerospace & defense indsutry, and whether we’re on the precipice of integration. Plus, cybersecurity threats and reverse stock splits. Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Travis Hoium discuss GE Aerospace acquires Consolidated Precision Prodcuts, the winners and losers of the deal, Boston Scientific’s cybersecurity hack fallout, will cybersecurity make these industries less appealing to investors, and when is a reverse stock split good? Companies discussed: GE, HWM, BA, HONA, RTX, BSX, NVO, CRWD, IBM, BKNG. Host — Tyler Crowe; Guests — Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman.
Guests: Travis Hoium,Lou Whiteman
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
New research from Nutracheck reveals that many women are quietly putting their own nutrition needs last as they juggle work, family, and the demands of daily life. Some are even going so far as to eat leftovers from their family’s plates, rather than making something for themselves. It’s no surprise then that many are turning to weight-loss medication — but without proper support, it can end up being even worse for their overall well-being. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Emma White, Nutrition Lead at Nutracheck, the UK's leading calorie and nutrition tracking app.
Guests: Emma White
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It’s been a month since the landmark Renters’ Rights Act banned no-fault evictions, but new data shows widespread confusion is still leaving tenants in the dark. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this and more is Eddie Hooker, CEO of mydeposits.
Guests: Eddie Hooker
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
There are various coping strategies which people employ to deal with difficult emotions (anger, anxiety etc..) such as drink, drugs or food. However, more often than not they are just umbing in their effect at the time, and more like destructive self-sabotage in the longer term. Emotions are temporary: so, in this episode Adam Cox uses the technique of 'pattern interrupt' to help with developing an alternative approach to dealing with those difficult times.
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
National Cinema Weekend reduced UK box office take, says James Cameron-Wilson. With Spider-Man and Odyssey still at the top, The Death of Robin Hood limped in at #7. Starring Hugh Jackman, it is a violent, extremely bloody and grim telling of the famous tale. James and host Simon Rose disagreed about Coyote vs. Acme, a mix of live action and animation that has Roadrunner's cartoon enemy suing the famous corporation for providing dangerously deficient products. James found it ludicrous and unfunny. Simon (and those around him) found it often hilarious and great fun. At #14 is Greg Araki's erotically-charged I Want Your Sex. It stars Olivia Wilde as a provocative artist and is often very funny and daring but often also uncomfortable. It intends to offend, and succeeds.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin is excited by the "gorgeous" folding iPhone Duo, although a little daunted by the price. He's also impressed by new features on the Apple watch. Scientists have reproduced the sound, so they believe, of a Jurassic forest using fossils. There's a way of detecting fake alcohol, which can be very dangerous. An app claims to predict the onset of flu or Covid by listening to you coughing at night. A weird hotel in Tokyo uses only robot staff, including talking velociraptors. It is somewhat further ahead than the latest robot innovations in UK hotels. 3D-printed ultrasounds will let blind parents experience their unborn children. And the crowd-funded Mezmodrop fires an aluminium collar into the air which drops back down onto the spike.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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