audio is usually processed digitally; these XLR mics all filter their input through a preamp, but a digital process won't directly capture audio the same way a physical diaphragm in an XLR mic will, which is what the podcast microphones OP is asking about use.

companies can produce smaller microphones and a lot of people use smaller microphones that capture and process audio differently then XLR mics, but if you're curious about why podcast microphones specifically are physically larger than other mics, it comes down to the function of a microphone diaphragm designed for the human vocal range and its supporting components shown in the video linked above.

it's pretty difficult to capture human voices accurately while rejecting ambient noise, and a larger diaphragm and its supporting components need larger housing than a mic that isn't as particular.

techzone audio makes their mics by hand and has good informational videos showing the internal components; you can see there's not a ton of empty space inside their mics, and the diameter itself is determined by the internal housing and necessary components.

veggies yum

how do I know you’ll send me to a place with airport security guards, clerks, marshals, etc?....I’m literally putting my safety (and the safety of my family) in their hands.

this isn't my website, but you aren't putting the safety of yourself and your family in this company's hands taking a mystery vacation much more than if you fly to a non-mystery destination and non-mystery hotel, or even order a rideshare or food delivery in your home city. The normal travel infrastructure and security apart from a random destination is still all there.

all of their flights are conducted on commercial airlines and none are all-inclusive; you only receive a random destination and lodgings upon purchasing a voucher. you'll pack your own bags, arrange your own transit to and from the commercial airlines at the commercial airports, where all of the above security measures will be in place.

flying to a random destination is not enticing to every traveler and this isn't going to become the routine way for anyone to vacation. it's marketed as a method for people comfortable with travel who want to mix things up in their usual routine.

Hey there. Haven't done it myself but I have helped prepare many visas, including 0-1 visa applications. They're real and they are historically granted, but you'll need a powerful sponsor and you will have to prove your extraordinary ability via multiple prestigious awards in your field, high ranking CEO suite titles, published work, patents for your inventions.

Accolades should be clearly about you or you have to be the clear leader or figure of interest in a team, and multiple examples of your unique exceptionalism is what they're looking for.

That said, the US visa and immigration system is currently operating extremely and critically unreliably, and there's no guarantee that if you put in a lot of time, effort and money that the visa/immigration process won't be entirely changed or negated on a whim. Even after you may be "officially" granted your visa, it could be canceled at any moment and you could arbitrarily become a "criminal" through no fault of your own.

You'd have some assurance of success if you met all the above requirements and are being escorted through the system by a very powerful company with a high-profile leader, but i want to stress that there is no reliability or continuity of US visa/immigration procedure in the US right now, constitutional or statutory, so you want to have complete faith in your sponsor.

I know several people who can't even get 1-week US tourist visas for no valid reason, rejected up to 4 times in a row before they quit applying despite far exceeding the procedural requirements.

Big concern for people who haven't traveled before, but human trafficking occurs everywhere, not specifically vacation destinations. Between airport security guards, clerks, marshals, cameras, protocol, phones, and free agency, airline passengers have a lot of precautions against trafficking compared to actual trafficking victims.

Very cool, thanks, I'm looking for it now. i walk a looot.

great picture, thanks

Cool, did you read a book about his journey?

The list highlights four wonders.

That's idyllic Croatia!

I completely agree about the bills; visiting the US, my friends' cost of living has been disheartening as usual.

US hostels are $60 a night, the same price as a private apartment. doesn't make any sense.

what buildings, the bridge? It's elegant enough, not very extravagant.

hey, if you're sure, sure. you're right about the phones, anyway.