The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[oddoneout]

A robot would be less insulting to the listeners, and wouldn't need. To. Breathe.

Well.... Doesn't that depend on how it's programmed? Those electronic back seat drivers seem to annoy people sufficiently to choose to turn them off and take a chance on getting lost, and if the robot style is modelled on someone whose delivery or manner is already a source of irritation then not much progress has been made - or at least not for the listeners.

[french frank]

A robot you mean?

The idea that the only alternative to the individual, 'Hey, it's ME', celebrity cult presenter is a robot could only be seriously contemplated by an imagination-free adult or an under-12 child. But you, of course, weren't be serious, were you, Gongers?

As it happens the natural timbre and general pitch of the voice, possibly its accent, are quite enough to distinguish one faceless voice from another. And a little practice and a good ear will enable one to put a name to it it, if it is heard regularly

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well.... Doesn't that depend on how it's programmed? Those electronic back seat drivers seem to annoy people sufficiently to choose to turn them off and take a chance on getting lost, and if the robot style is modelled on someone whose delivery or manner is already a source of irritation then not much progress has been made - or at least not for the listeners.

I rather like Siri. When you get exasperated and use an expletive, he says, "I say, there's no need for that.

[MrGongGong]

The idea that the only alternative to the individual, 'Hey, it's ME', celebrity cult presenter is a robot could only be seriously contemplated by an imagination-free adult or an under-12 child. But you, of course, weren't be serious, were you, Gongers?

As it happens the natural timbre and general pitch of the voice, possibly its accent, are quite enough to distinguish one faceless voice from another. And a little practice and a good ear will enable one to put a name to it it, if it is heard regularly

I wasn't being 100% serious (or even Siri-ous for the Stockhausen/Apple enthusiasts)
I don't think Tom Service does have a "hey it's ME" thing but there again I always have to remember that I am in a small minority.

[french frank]

I don't think Tom Service does have a "hey it's ME" thing

I was responding, of course (of course I was) to a general point about 'presenters' with a generalised comment about 'presenters'. I too can name presenters on Radio 3 who don't fit my 'Hey, it's me' formulation.

[antongould]

..... A faceless, unidentifiable voice that provides interesting, accurate information, in a listenable voice, is fine by me.

Without a discernible sense of humour one supposes ........

[french frank]

Without a discernible sense of humour one supposes ........

Why?

[antongould]

Why?

I may be wrong, but I feel you think it detracts from what you see as the requirements of the role .......

[french frank]

I may be wrong, but I feel you think it detracts from what you see as the requirements of the role .......

On the contrary. My own feeling is that anyone who lacks a sense of humour lacks an essential part of human behaviour. I don't think the specific role of Radio 3 presenter requires one to be a comedian or to try to be funny; a sense of humour, I think, is most obviously demonstrated as a natural reaction to an immediate situation. It can result in a witty response - a recognition of the inherent humour in that situation. That is normal, isn't it?

I trust I have dispelled your sentiment that I consider it detracts from the role?

[antongould]

.......

I trust I have dispelled your sentiment that I consider it detracts from the role?

Completely

[rauschwerk]

A new low point was achieved today. We had the finale of the Waldstein sonata, and they chopped it just before the coda on a dominant seventh chord!.

I give up.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A new low point was achieved today. We had the finale of the Waldstein sonata, and they chopped it just before the coda on a dominant seventh chord!.

Did you have to rush to a piano to resolve it?

[BBMmk2]

That bloody song at the end!

[antongould]

But you did get a chance to request the music you discovered in Ibiza on your hols .......

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Two wrongs don't make a right.