Okay, everyone, it seems that there may be something workable in my idea to trade lives with someone outside the US, but it's not going to be a casual endeavor. So I'm proposing to make a site to serve as a clearinghouse/online community for everyone who's interested in trading places for say, a year.

And not just in a wishy way, either, but for real. Now of course the job issue is the main sticking point, leastways in this industry. Professors, nurses, and others have been doing this for a while now, partly because their professions are more ameniable to it. But it is possible to provide mutual assistance in obtaining visas, housing, etc...

What do you think?

Just pitch this to a studio as a Reality Television Programme and you're set.

I think you should definetly *not* limit the program to our industry. For some reason I think that IT cogs will be seen as less interchangeable than other cogs (and this is a good thing). I know that although it wouldn't work for my current job, it may have worked very well under a previous employer.

John, how would people get to really know each other and trust each other [with each other's lives!] on such a site?

I think it worked out on ?off because there are a lot of sane, trustworthy people here that you can rely on.

And try saying that last statement with a straight face.

"Now of course the job issue is the main sticking point, leastways in this industry."

I thought that spouses would probably be the most disagreeable on this one...

Well, my spouse is up for it, anyway.

"my spouse is up for it"

I might take her. whats her cooking like?

> I thought that spouses would probably be the most disagreeable on this one

My spouse is definitely disagreeable. Want to swap?