Imagine that you were selected to part of a special space exploration program that allowed you to visit another planet.
Once you were selected and “won” this special space trip, you were told that you would be launching into outer space in 90 days.
You look at your calendar and start your countdown.
At one point, there were 90 days to go.
Fast-forward. It quickly became 60 days to go.
Fast-forward some more. 10 days to go.
…
Finally today is the big day. It dawns on you to ask a simple question.
You: What planet am I going to? Is it Mars, Jupiter….which planet?
The space pilot: ((Laughs)) You’ll see.
You: I’m guessing it will be Mars. Right?
The space pilot: Again. You’ll see.
To get straight to it. You launch up into space. Several days go by. And suddenly you are told that you have arrived.
You’re curious to why you’re not putting on a spacesuit as you exit the shuttle, but as you walk on the surface of this planet, you start smiling.
Suddenly, your smile transforms into laughter as you tell the pilot, “nice prank”.
As you look around you see trees, cars, buildings and people walking around.
There’s no way that you’re on Mars or Jupiter. This is clearly Earth….which explains why there was no need for a spacesuit.
As you’re trying to engage with the space pilot about the reason for the prank, you notice that he’s not giving you any sort of confirmation. Instead he is serious and keeps reminding you to follow him to the mysterious destination.
You: Where are we going?
The Space Pilot: Just follow me. We’re almost there.
You: Is there another layer to this prank?
The Space Pilot: We’ll be there in five minutes.
As you two approach an apartment complex, he gives you some keys.
The Space Pilot: Here are your keys and an instruction manual. You will be on this planet for three months. Your apartment is right there (pointing). Building 9 – Apartment H.
You: I’m confused. I thought this was a prank.
The Space Pilot: I’ll say this once. This is not Earth. It looks like it, but it’s not. Your mission is to observe the subtle differences between this planet and the one you were born on.
He stops suddenly and points towards the building and says, “You will be picked up in three months. Good luck.”
You walk inside and start your mission.
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