We just figured the galaxy didn’t have the budget for non humanoid intelligent life.
One head-type-thing and four limb-type-things, with only two being primarily locomotive, makes that more humanoid than not on an intergalactic body plan scale.
We are very bad at thinking up truly alien life.
The Hooloovoo resemble a super-intelligent shade of the colour blue. One was seen in a prism for Zaphod Beeblebrox’s address upon stealing the Heart of Gold. On certain special occasions, such as the aforementioned Presidential event, they refract into a free-standing prism.
Ok, fair enough, I’ll give us one example of being good at it, as the exception that proves the rule.
I’ve never understood this phrase. How does an exception prove a rule? Surely an exception disproves a rule?
You’re right, it’s a bullshit phrase
When enough people know a saying, but don’t understand its intent, its meaning drifts. The idea is supposed to be that the existence of an exception proves that there is a rule, with “rule” being in the sense of a generality.
I learned that from the Grammar Girl podcast and found it interesting enough that it stuck with me (because it was something I’d long wondered). Her example is a sign that forbids skateboarding while school is in session. “You can infer that you are allowed to skateboard at other times. The rule that the exception proves is that skateboarding is generally allowed. If that were not a rule, why would exceptions be made at all?"
Transcript: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/qdtarchive/why-do-we-say-the-exception-that-proves-the-rule/