Kill the Babelfish

A stimulating and intensely interesting discussion of the problem of languages and universal translators in fictional settings.

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Universal translators are quite possibly the laziest deus ex machina out there. Honestly, even hand-waving some kind of superpower to understand all forms of communication has more merit behind it, but universal translators in all shapes and sizes are everywhere, and I really, really wish they weren’t.

On the other hand, though, I understand fully and completely why they are as prolific as they are: no one speaks a million fictional languages.

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The Love

My very first present of the season has been delivered by Amazon’s robotic elves, and it is no disappointment.

There is nothing else to do with this note/ gift but to conclude that my friends are pretty great.