What's Going On

Now, what do you know about robots? Robots? Well, they talk in  a  funny  way  ...  like  that~  way…  like  that!  Yes.  it  You  sound quite convincing  there  actually, Finn. Do you like it? Yes, I do. Is there anything else you know about robots? Well,  they  there  are… there are  couples  a  couple  of good ones in  the  Star Wars,  aren’t  there?  Oh, yes. R2-D2 and C-3PO. C-3PO talks in quite a human voice. He does. But of course that's science fiction not  really  real life. No. But things have moved on in real life. The  US  use  of  machines to do work that people do or used to do is called automation and that's the subject of today's show. But before we talk more about this,  I  l'd  like you, Neil, to answer today's quiz question. What makes a job more likely to be done by robots? Is  it...if  a  job  involves  in  it  if  a  job  involves…  a) manipulating small objects? b) working in open spaces?  Or  c) social and emotional skills? OK.  I  got  a

Sorry, wait a minute Neil. I'm just finishing this book. lots  of  pages…  Many  xxxx.  Last  page…  nearly  there…  ohh  -  fantastic book! I'm glad you finished your book  That  there  Alice! We're talking about books in today's programme.  What's  your  What  was  it  you  were  reading there? No, never mind Neil. It's not your kind of book. You wouldn't like  it.  it  How do you know? Well I just think  it  you  might  be  read something a little  more  intellectual.  Oh,  Oh  I see… Well, we are talking about the kinds of books people  read,  and  what  I  they  say about them today. Yes. Perhaps you read the  words  of  works  of  a  famous writer - the  classics,  XXXX,  XXXX.  classics  -  Charles  Dickens,  Shakespeare.  People  more  will  think you are  an  intellectual. You can show off by reading these books – the classics. Or perhaps you read  the  public  popular  novels or romantic fiction – a light easy read. When you go on  a  holiday

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/10/08/446980229/amazon-takes-aim-at-etsy-with-a-new-craft-site-handmade Amazon is firing yet another shot  and  at  yet another competitor. This time  may  say  XXX  are  XXX  shoot  etsay.  The  it's  a  mega-artisanal  shot  at  Etsy,  the  website known for selling handmade goods. Today, Amazon launched Handmade, a new online marketplace that sells handmade goods. The move is  a  direct threat  for  to  the  much smaller company that's been  tried  trying  to grow. NPR's  XXXX  Aarti  Shahani  reports. XXXX  Valerie  Nethery  got a message from  XXXX  out  of  the  blue  from Amazon. They emailed me directly.  and  I'm  not sure how they found me. She runs a little shop called  XXX.  LilyEmme.  Maybe they  found  saw  my Instagram or maybe  word  of  mouth. Or maybe through her page on  XXXX.  XXX  Etsy.  Nethery  sells  14  category  14-karat  gold  jewelry  that  that's handmade and  XXX.  ethical. I