Peter Rhodes on a royal birthday, religion in politics and how technology is replacing the Almighty
Ask your search engine: “What are the benefits of modern technology?” and you'll probably come across something like this artificial intelligence-generated response: “Technology has revolutionised communication, enabling instant connection with anyone, anywhere in the world.”
Ah, but it can do so much more, as Andy Byron, ironically head of a tech company, can testify. In his case, technology in the shape of a “kiss camera” caught him embracing a colleague at a Coldplay concert in the States. The images went global and Mr Byron has since resigned. The technology claims yet another scalp.
The technology is omnipotent, following our every move, logging every sin. New technology is taking the place not merely of old technology but of God.
The dropping of the voting age from 18 to 16 has been hailed as the greatest reform in decades. So what will be the next big change in British politics? Look no further than the website of The Muslim Vote which declares: “We will no longer tolerate being taken for granted. We are a powerful, united force of 4 million acting in unison.”
It is remarkable that multicultural Britain does not have political parties based on religion. I dare say they will be along soon. If we genuinely believe that the voting system should represent the society it serves, who can argue with communities who feel under-represented by the present system breaking out on their own?
Princess Anne says her 75th birthday next month will be a quiet affair. And no-one will argue with that. She is, as I discovered interviewing her years ago, a lady of firm opinions, firmly expressed.
But she also has a joyous sense of humour, as I learned from a soldier involved in the planning of a visit by the Princess Royal to the Royal Corps of Signals training regiment at Catterick. A tent containing a chemical toilet was erected on the training area for the sole use of the princess. To his horror, the quartermaster realised it was too far from the mobile generators to provide lighting. He dispatched a team of squaddies to the stores to gather hundreds of army-issue green torches which were hung by string from the roof of the tent to illuminate the loo. HRH duly arrived and used the facility. As she emerged she grinned: “It's like a fairy grotto, isn't it?”
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