Don't Panic, Towel Day is here!

English writer, playwright, and comic author Douglas Adams left an indelible mark on the golden age of world sci-fi with his The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. This sci-fi, full of humor, exaggeration, and philosophical questions, has become a cult classic.

Earth is destroyed. It had to make way for an interstellar highway. Although the demolition order had been sitting at a planning office just four light-years away for some time, it seems no Earthling cared. Suddenly, Earth is gone, and the only surviving human is a certain Arthur Dent, thanks to his friend Ford Prefect, who turns out to be an alien out of nowhere.

Thus begins a crazy journey where they encounter the extremely bureaucratic and stubborn Vogon race, a depressed robot named Marvin, visit the planetary system of the planet builders where a backup Earth is already under construction, and discover the answer to the question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

A key part of their adventure is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, an electronic book providing all sorts of information and tips for surviving and understanding the universe. It features the reassuring words Don't Panic on its cover. But wherever you go in the entire universe, never leave home without a towel! A towel is the most important and useful thing a hitchhiker can have.

When Douglas Adams unexpectedly died of a heart attack in 2001 (he was only 49), he left behind a body of work that influenced literature and culture, as well as a huge group of heartbroken fans. In his honor, a fun and informal holiday known to the whole world as Towel Day was created, celebrated on May 25th.

What does this holiday involve? People all over the world head out with a towel on this day. It should be in a visible place. They pay tribute to the immortal books and the author himself. A towel is the most useful thing a space traveler can carry. But what can you actually use such a towel for?

Camouflage

When Galadriel gave the members of the Fellowship their elven towels, she knew exactly why she was doing it. Yes, for some reason everyone thinks they were cloaks, but that's a detail lost in translation. You can hide perfectly under such a towel. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the dust before the Gates of Mordor.

I always thought that if I had to hide somewhere long-term, it would be in the bathroom. An ideal place with a water source and the ability to dispose of waste relatively easily. And since I'm a relatively big guy who no longer fits in the washing machine, the best place to hide would be a laundry basket. And what's the best thing to cover such a basket with? A towel! Moreover, times have moved on. Towels come in many patterns and colors. Hiding in diverse environments is definitely not a problem.

Self-defense

It may happen that hiding under a towel fails. You might find yourself in a situation where you are forced to defend yourself. When someone is coming for you, you quickly use whatever you have on hand. Because you are an informed traveler who always carries a towel, nothing can happen to you. At least, if someone is attacking you with a cold weapon. There are several techniques for using this brilliantly universal piece of absorbent material.

If only Marion Crane from the movie Psycho had known, she would still be with us. But then we would have lost one of the most iconic scenes in the history of thrillers and horror.

Attack

It is claimed that the first German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck said that the best defense is a good offense. Sometimes all diplomatic solutions fail, and there is nothing left but to face the attacker head-on. It must be said, however, that you, as a towel holder, will have a great advantage. Have you ever been hit with a rolled-up towel? You gain a significant advantage by throwing a towel into your target's face.

In this regard, Doctor Strange probably took it the furthest with his towel of levitation (in some written sources again mistakenly confused for a cloak). He discovered a way to bring to life the otherwise hidden and natural properties of all towels. His towel suddenly became his friend and partner, capable of not only attacking enemies but also doing various household chores (mainly dusting).

The worst thing you can do is throw in the towel. Life is much easier with a towel. Many think that the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything is the number 42, but attentive readers know well that a towel is much more important. You don't have to run around the world with a towel around your neck. Just remember the work of Douglas Adams and remind yourself that we don't always have to take life so seriously. Everything is always better with a smile.