While clearing out my parent’s loft the other day I found some entirely forgotten boxes of my stuff. Stuff is really the only description here: two boxes containing a random collection of old birthday cards, letters, photographs, postcards, gig tickets and wristbands, and of course, old gadgets. One gadget in particular caught my attention because it is just such a perfect example of what you could call ‘Instant Obsolescence’. It is a gadget designed to transfer MP3s to a MiniDisc player. I have no memory of ever buying this gadget, nor of ever using it, but...read more.

It may surprise you to know that most petrolheads love the idea of electric cars. At least I believe the real ones do. Sure we will miss the raw sound and contained fury of the combustion engine, but real car lovers are excited by the prospect of great electric cars: perfect weight distribution, huge torque, and rapid, unremitting acceleration. Sadly the reality is some way from this dream. As well as being ugly, electric cars today are utterly impractical, requiring long charging times for very short (circa 100 mile) ranges. No petrolhead lusts after a Nissan...read more.

Facebook is expected to file for its initial public offering today, with an initial placement of around $5 billion valuing the company between $75bn and $100bn. Should we (or our pension funds) all be piling in with our cash? Not in my opinion. Facebook is a fascinating company with a very successful product, as is clear from its 850 million users worldwide. I use it daily, as do most people I know. Facebook is also believed to be fairly profitable, with estimates ranging from $1bn-$2.5bn for 2011 – we won’t know for sure until it files....read more.