“The —-WHAT— is perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world this century.” ?

So said Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General) in 1999. What was he talking about?

The internet? (evens)

The television? (10-1)

The tank? (20-1)

Surely the ZX81? (10000000000.1-1)

The surveillance society? (U(n) looking at me? 100-1)

The cash machine? (50-1 @56%apr)

The chav? No.

You are all wrong. All of you. But I did cheat, by not providing you with the correct option. Sorry.

The correct answer is:

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The BBC World Service.

“The Foreign Office reductions in grant in aid to the BBC mean in particular that short wave transmissions to some of the poorest regions in the world will end. These are places where internet access is limited, literacy is an issue and local governments block FM re-broadcasting when it suits their purposes. These essential services must be considered as a priority in any review.

When the government temporarily took control of internet, mobile and radio networks in Egypt, BBC WS on shortwave was a lifeline.”

If the above makes sense to you then please consider signing the petition on that page to stop the huge cutbacks. We take for granted the awesome power of the communication tools at our fingertips. Absolutely for granted, and we demand more, faster, better all the time. We are damned lucky. Sign the petition for those whom the BBC World Service really could be a lifeline. Ta.

#savews