In Part 2, Steve O’Donnell takes The Tech Ledger from Rolls Royce nuclear reactors to AI monopolies, geopolitics, and a dose of Scottish humour. From building data centres in deserts to warning about Broadcom’s lock-in tactics, Steve explains why small modular reactors (SMRs) could power the AI boom, how monopolistic behaviour is toxic for innovation, and why sometimes the only way to deal with a bully—whether in tech or geopolitics—is to “punch them on the nose.”
00:00 → Introduction
01:47 → Rolls Royce nuclear/SMRs
02:11 → Energy mix: GPUs, electrification, SMRs, renewables, grid balancing
09:59 → Hyperscalers, desert data centres, desalination, radiation fears
18:10 → Monopolisation: Broadcom stiffing VMware customers, toxic lock-in
24:54 → Schoolyard bully analogy → “punch Putin on the nose.”
27:43 → TTL Exposed: London bus route (Big Brother vs diverse future)
29:29→ Career soundtrack: Bowie “Major Tom.”
30:26→ Sporting humour: Culloden, Airdrie, Hamilton Academicals
32:02→ Warm close, appreciation, outro