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Hello, this is Six Minute English from BBC Learning English, I'm Neil.
And I'm Rob.
Do you enjoy your own company, Rob?
Do you like being alone or do you prefer spending time with friends?
Well, recently I haven't seen my friends much because of coronavirus.
In fact, I've hardly seen anyone this past year.
It sounds like Rob has become a bit of a hermit.
Someone who lives alone and apart from society.
Yes, I've been forced to spend time alone,
but it wouldn't be my choice.
I'd much rather be socialising and visiting friends.
If, like, Rob, the idea of being alone does not appeal to you,
it might be hard to understand why anyone would choose to be a hermit.
But some people do, and in this programme we'll be hearing some of the reasons why.
Throughout history and across all cultures,
there have been people who choose to leave behind the life and people they know to live in isolation and silence.
People like Christopher Wright, an American man who lived in complete isolation in the forests of Maine for nearly 30 years.
When hikers discovered his tent, all they found was an alarm clock.