can't imagine how much of cultural interaction and otherwise productive hours are lost to learning languages.

Tabarnak. I speak enough Quebecois to get myself into trouble.

my hot take is that all languages should die except for one, preferably English

Language to learn is Sami and gealic,

But speaking of opinions, anyone have any on Die Berge? I really dig it. Pretty much the perfect soundtrack to northern Germany's cloudy Autumn.

And since you're in Quebec, you should have no issue learning French. Or Quebecois, not to insult anyone here :D

Speaking multiple languages is definitely really cool. But you're never too young to start. I'd say the main thing in learning languages is having opportunity to employ that skill.