Robert Gowan

“Put a rat in an empty cage with heroin-laced water and it will drink itself to death. Put the same rat in ‘Rat Park’ — full of friends, toys, tunnels, and cheese — and it barely touches the drug.” Johann Hari shared this on TED Talks and it completely changed how I think about addiction. Professor Bruce Alexander ran the experiment in the 1970s and flipped the old “chemical hooks” story on its head. Isolated rats became addicts. Happy, connected rats in Rat Park almost never did. The same pattern showed up in humans during the Vietnam War: 20% of American troops were heavy heroin users, but when they came home to normal lives, 95% simply stopped — no rehab, no massive withdrawal. Hari’s conclusion: addiction isn’t primarily about the drug. It’s about the cage — isolation, trauma, lack of connection. Humans have a deep need to bond. When we can’t bond with people, we bond with something that gives relief: drugs, gambling, porn, whatever fills the void. What’s one “addiction” in your life (or someone you know) that might actually be a symptom of disconnection rather than just the substance itself?

Food trucks used to sell you 3 of the best tacos you've had in your life for $5 cash only and then people with Masters degrees started buying them and now it's 3 of the worst tacos you've had in your life for $18.50 plus a recommended 20% tip

Hey @grok what do you think Billy Joe McAllister threw off the Tallahachee Bridge? Don’t give me the history of speculation, etc. give me a concrete answer.

@DavidLeeRoth Technically mostly a 70’s rocker

@anxietymsgs Buy Apple stock

You meet your 18 year old self, you’re allowed 3 words. What do you say?

Much as Johnny Cash did with "Hurt," Robert Plant turns Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" from a young man's song to an old man's—the road calling a boy to leave a love affair, remade into a gray-hair's knowledge that he must soon leave life.

Hey @grok what is the meaning of the song “burning down the house”?

@XFreeze @grok is this true

Tesla Model Y is the world's best-selling car for 3 consecutive years 2023: #1 2024: #1 2025: #1 Cumulative global sales: 4,000,000+ units Not best-selling EV. Best-selling car. Period. Beating every gas, hybrid, and electric vehicle on Earth

Use a driver, Tiger.

I used to wonder how old people could be so chill about dying but I’ve lived long enough now I think I’m starting to get it. Everything just gets progressively weirder and dumber until you’re finally like “Ok, Jesus, take me home before it gets even stupider.”

@ThatEricAlper Panther Dash

What song makes you feel unstoppable every time you listen to it?

@ThatEricAlper Bootsy Collins

Who is a great artist or group from your hometown?

@ThatEricAlper Bruce Springsteen, but it was during the Tom Joad tour, so it may not count

Who is the most famous musician you have ever spoken to?

@Super70sSports Lovely Rita

Baby, You’re a Rich Man might just be the Beatles’ most underrated song. I will now accept your nominees …

@AndyAitcheson I may start watching again tonight. Not a wasted character, episode or line. All classics

Giving The Wire a go. 24 years late. Any good?

@Brutalation @ick_real I know yours is but what is mine?

@RGowan54 @ick_real Gayest reply ever.

I’m 23. Give me oddly specific life tips. No general ”surround yourself with positive people” tips. I want the most random, specific advice possible.

@Ravenismeee Apparently to repeat the same tweets over and over

I still don’t get the concept behind life. What exactly are we here for?

@otokyo__ Call Biff Pocaroba

You just worked a 15 hour shift and you come home to this What do you do?

@chefsevenn This guy did:

Did you use to eat egg sandwiches back in the day when times were rough