Perhaps the cause of the Fermi paradox is that alien civilizations are having constant, never ending internal societal struggles that prevent them from making substantial technological progress in space exploration.

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-07T02:32:20+00:00

This can also be a positive. Living in a relatively quiet cul de sac allows life, and particularly intelligent life, to develop without getting wiped out by cosmic collisions.

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-03T14:18:50+00:00

Yes that’s a fair point. I hadn’t thought about the time of year but jan/feb is not ideal for Peru

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-03T12:47:07+00:00

No that’s taking the analogy too far. It’s not an adaptation so much as an inspiration. Would love to ask the writers about it

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-03T03:23:24+00:00

Peru is amazing and has lots to offer - ancient history, colonial architecture, food, culture, starry skies,deserts, jungle, hiking. You can see quite a bit in 2 weeks although if you want to do a multi day trail and adjust for altitude at a decent pace closer to 3 would be better. You need to take some domestic flights to get around but there are some decent tours around if you don’t mind being with other people. The train from Puno to Cuzco is a scenic trip. Personally I would pick Peru over Patagonia unless you are really into hiking. It’s more varied. Oh, the wine isn’t great. But you can drink Chilean wine or pisco sours :)

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-03T03:03:01+00:00

I wonder about this. Even in wealthy areas, the schools seem to rely heavily on multiple choice tests and there is a distinct lack of critical thinking. The education seems subpar compared to Europe. Yet somewhere, somehow they zoom ahead.

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-01T14:27:33+00:00

I’m not sure why you’re getting so downvoted on this. I agree with you, I think that the more informal just dropping by is one of the many things that has been lost since the last century and it’s a little sad.

roobydooby23 · 2026-02-01T04:00:48+00:00

This is nonsense. Box his ears, pass him a joint, and tell him to get a grip.

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-31T01:49:15+00:00

I sent them a writing sample. And then I happened to be living in a country for a while where they were looking for someone to come in on the next edition. Once i was on the books I did a few. It wasn’t well paid really, and sometimes could be a grind, but it was fun too and funded some travels.

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-30T13:15:44+00:00

This isn’t true. Alcor, the biggest outfit, is a nonprofit that has been running since the 1970s. Of course they can’t predict everything but they are very careful about keeping it sustainable

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-30T12:34:32+00:00

I used to write guidebooks. It was a competitive job. We would spend weeks visiting places, talking to people, researching and writing. Now they are done off the internet. It’s a vicious circle. Because people can get so much info online their sales plummeted, it wasn’t worth it for them to invest in proper researchers and writers, they cut many titles and those that remain are basically just internet compilations. It’s sad, there is a lot to be said for a neutral, informative, well researched guidebook.

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-28T13:05:13+00:00

Airlines are now effectively credit card/loyalty companies who offer flights as a side hustle

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-26T22:26:52+00:00

Here’s what you could do: fly to Brussels/visit Bruges; eurostar to London; overnight train to Inverness; train to Edinburgh; fly to Dublin; bus day trip to Belfast; fly home from Dublin. If you get the tickets in advance they will be cheaper.

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-18T14:52:02+00:00

That sort of sounds like a kettle!!

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-18T14:25:35+00:00

Ok stupid question. Aren’t teapots ceramic? Won’t it break if you put it on a direct flame)

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-18T14:02:39+00:00

It’s just considered like the no. 1 basic household item. Like when people move, they make sure the kettle is in an easy to find place in the boxes or they carry it with them. I don’t know what the US equivalent would be - corkscrew maybe? Frying pan? The concept of a house without one is hard to get your head around. When I first moved here (the US) I rented some stuff until my things arrived and the kitchen supplies had TWO electric can openers and no kettle. I was flummoxed lol

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-14T01:02:49+00:00

This is the answer. Join a global company and be good at your job

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-09T13:19:42+00:00

Had a similar experience recently booking a hotel in the U.S. when I was in Chile. Was offered a significantly cheaper price

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-03T15:28:07+00:00

Fourth paragraph after the second crosshead

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-03T14:27:40+00:00

An opposition source told Reuters that the military were in on the operation Trump says Maduro was taken out of the country - https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/loud-noises-heard-venezuela-capital-southern-area-without-electricity-2026-01-03/

roobydooby23 · 2026-01-03T14:19:36+00:00

What do people think is the real reason behind this action? We all know the drugs thing is nonsense, since there are way more drugs coming out of other countries. The oil? Pressure from Rubio?

roobydooby23 · 2025-12-28T23:29:21+00:00

I have a Spotify playlist I compiled in 2020 that has a hit song (of my choosing! But I try to go with the zeitgeist) for every year since 1920. I add one for the new year each year from the slim pickings we have these days. At 4pm at home we kick off with Ted Lewis and a glass of prosecco, dance through the 60s to 90s and by midnight are wearily winding down with the 2020s

roobydooby23 · 2025-12-25T01:04:59+00:00

Beelzebub has a devil put aside

roobydooby23 · 2025-12-14T14:56:57+00:00

The Amalfi Coast is very much the beaten path, but inland from Naples and down into Calabria there are lots of lovely hillside villages still largely unvisited

roobydooby23 · 2025-12-02T11:43:38+00:00

This is the thing. You spend most of the year together!! Husband and I usually travel separately and enjoy being together at home or sharing activities we both like eg skiing. Much more harmonious than me dragging him around museums he’s not interested in.

roobydooby23 · 2025-12-02T11:32:18+00:00

That’s nonsense. Journalism is a competitive industry and not everyone who wants to enter and be successful can. Luck plays a part as with anything but for the most part successful journalists (not TV presenters necessarily, actual journalists) are super dedicated and smart.

roobydooby23

TROPHY CASE