Fat is a type of crazy

1 hour ago, BigStar said:

No, that's a silly video for the peanut gallery, the vast majority of whom love to hear any rationalization for continuing the path to obesity. Kinda like throwing peanuts to monkeys, except he's getting paid handsomely to do so. 

It rests on pretending to disprove the (false) assumption that better diet or exercise guarantees longevity. No one's immune to bad luck, effects of previous risky behavior, genetic disorders, or conditions undiagnosed perhaps through willful neglect. Fixx is a textbook example of two of these.

But when not being witlessly cheered on as he makes his way to the bank, what does Maher himself do? Oh, strict diet and exercise. ???? WOT??? Why's that?

I have a trainer I see twice a week for formal weightlifting training, which I think is really important
I also have a stationary bike at home for days that I don’t go to the trainer. I like to sweat every day.

I got my diet in order 10 or 12 years ago. Before that I tried to eat well but don’t think I knew what I was doing. I always make a giant glass of fresh vegetables [juiced] every day. I haven’t had fast food in 15 years. If I’m out to dinner and someone gets dessert, I might have one bite because it satisfies that desire. In general, sugar is the enemy. 
--https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-5q-maher-20140906-story.html

Maher himself writes the intro to entire book such as written by the dead authors he sneers at for the peanut gallery:
 

The Fountain: A Doctor's Prescription to Make 60 the New 30

Let's try to avoid being so gullible. 

I like your posts because you go there. But sometimes I think you miss some subtleties in the argument. You seem to be saying that he is making fun of recommendations for a healthy lifestyle but then secretly having a healthy lifestyle. That's just not correct.

I pointed out in my post that he has constantly advocated a healthy diet as an important part of being prepared for covid.  In general he often discusses the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. 

In the video many of the books referenced are what I would call fad or fashionable diets or exercise - big selling books that don't necessarily show simple easy to follow healthy diets.

He is making the point that these books that were huge sellers are not necessarily the panacea needed. It is a comment on the fad not the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. 

Having said that there is an inference in the video that slavishly following a particular diet and exercise regime may not be all that - and that having a relaxed life and  lifestyle without thinking too much can have its own benefits. 

On 3/9/2021 at 1:19 AM, sanuk711 said:

That's a good video.

Bill's big thing during the coronavirus has been that Dr Fauci and others should tell it like it is - that being overweight is a huge risk factor. He is constantly saying that, as well as wearing masks and such, there should be a campaign saying that people can decrease their risks by prioritising health and diet. So though he is cynical about miracle diets he's pretty serious about the individual's responsibility for their diet.

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Nature doesn't agree with you, IMO. Carnivores eat vegetarians in nature.

I suppose the idea is that we have been blessed with intelligence and insight to the nature of things and we can choose to live and let live. Buddhism might say a tiger is less evolved on the kharmic road. Maybe we should know better. 

By posting on this topic we are likely to have considered the moral issues of eating meat, or of buying products from companies that  run sweatshops, or limiting our effect in creating green house gasses, or of not helping our fellow man.

You can go one way and just say ''I am looking out for No 1'' or you can give yourself fully to helping the world and others.

Most of us struggle along in the middle - justifying our meat eating, or our purchases, or how we treat others. Feeling guilt from time to time. Trying to believe we are good people.  

I was riding in Lombok Indonesia. Thought I had DONE the hard part in the dirt roads in the south west but going back to the hotel on the main road a truck came towards me and came right over to my side of the road. Came off the bike but was not going that fast. Two ladies picked me up, put some antiseptic and a bandage on my leg, and sent me on my way. Don't think I had insurance in those days. A bit silly. 

1 hour ago, GeorgeCross said:

 

alcohol is a truly addictive substance that leads to the debilitating condition known as alcoholism and potential death from alcohol poisoning, liver failure, heart failure, respiratory arrest

 

to bring into perspective:

 

Good point and I concur. I am not meaning to go all Reefer Madness in my posts.  Just from my personal experience of friends and others over the years - I have seen most take it and it has no ill effects except bloodshot eyes but others became a bit lost, disconnected and one guy had strong paranoia. You could argue that those people had issues from the start, and I hung out with two many unemployed and bohemian types,  but that could be the point. Overall marijuana is a much safer drug with little addiction but for a small percentage of the population beer is fine in moderation, whereas marijuana is a really strong drug, that can play with their minds and have a negative effect on their lives.

I'd hate to see Thai youth thinking it is the same as having the odd beer. 

26 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Pro-tip: Next time don't smoke before posting.

 

 

Funny guy. Just google it. Then come back and tell me which part is false. Just saying that in 2020 it is a powerful drug that can have a negative effect on a small but significant part of the population. 

2 minutes ago, johnnybangkok said:

Errr, that's exactly what you have. The 'old' version will still be in circulation (no ones burning them) but you will have a new edition with the updated imagery. There will therefore still be a choice for anyone willing to put in the time to find the old version and of course, explain the images.

And as much as I don't disagree that 'Foreigners were genuinely seen as exotic at a time before significant  travel and widespread communication', it's just excusing ignorance (albeit unintentional ignorance). Much in the same way we don't allow cigarette adverts pretending the smoker is 'cool' or god forbid, cigarettes are in some way 'healthy', society updates where the bar is set for acceptability. So therefore gollywogs, sambos, Ching Chong Chinamen and the likes are just no longer acceptable.

It's really not that hard to understand.  

 

I pretty much agree with you but I personally think it's OK to have the old one for sale too but it's up to the company. They are essentially banning an original work for new purchases. If they edited The adventures of Tom Sawyer and stopped new sales of the original I wouldn't be happy.

On the other point I am just defending the author somewhat from being tarred with the same brush as imagery that had  always been racist e.g. imagery of blacks coming from the post civil war days as  lazy stupid eating fried chicken and watermelon. Not many are doing that but some are. His  imagery is of exotic people doing exotic exciting things. It is I guess ignorance by definition though that word I feel  is a bit loaded, i.e. an  ignoramus is defined as a stupid person, and I think an author who pictured everyone in exaggerated terms did what made sense at the time.

The issue for me is not that he was 'bad' or racist - he exaggerates all his characters -  but that whether kids of today might benefit by seeing an updated portrayal.

Foreigners were genuinely seen as exotic at a time before significant  travel and widespread communication. The pictures reflect this. On the other  foreigners could be seen as appearing as  different in a disparaging way to normal people. The African one is worst with the bug eyes and luba lips - you could argue there is an inference about the intelligence of those people. 

You could have 2 versions.

The original for those who want it - it could come with a separate page giving context like they have done with Gone with the wind  - and parents could give their kids context if they so desire.

A new copy that shows a more modern fair and realistic portrayal of those peoples.

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

I let Jack Nightingale from Stephen Leather’s novel series explain that to you.

Nightingale blew smoke up at the sky. ‘Everybody dies,’ he said. ‘Life is a zero sum game. The best you can do is to enjoy yourself as you go along.’
‘But smoking shortens your life.’
‘Maybe. But it only takes the years from the end of your life. Not the beginning or the middle.’
Jenny looked at him, confused. ‘I have absolutely no idea what you mean.’
Nightingale took another drag on his cigarette before continuing. ‘Say I live until I’m seventy-five without smoking. And say I die at seventy if I do smoke. I lose five years. But really, Jenny, what am I going to be doing during those five years? Sitting in a bedsit somewhere watching the football, assuming I’ve enough of a pension to be able to afford Sky Sport?

That's the point though . I get you on the gourmet food and drinking and carousing and relaxing in general but is it really fun to have 50 cigarettes a day or 15 drinks a day. If the answer is yes..enjoy. But if not..and you don't feel comfortable in your body..then there may be a better and more fun way. Regardless of length of life. Not saying you in particular - don't know your habits or your situation. 

If exercise comes up it can sound boring and the opposite of having fun but I think everyone can get a buzz out of bike riding or swimming or boxing or lifting weights or whatever. That exercise can then in turn change your desire for certain things that maybe damaging to your body. There endeth the lecture.

29 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Right now the economy needs an emergency transfusion. Infrastructure spending takes too long.

Good point. It is good for people to be helped who have suffered the last 12 months. I just think of all the crumbling bridges and highways etc, and think of all the good that could come of it including building jobs and skills.

That compares  to $1400 being spent appropriately by some, to help with bills and their family, but by others at the liquor store, gambling and to get the latest phone. I don't mean to be judgemental or cynical but sales in those areas went up alot after handouts in Australia. Better that than more tax cuts for the rich or wealthier defence contractors.  

9 hours ago, Neeranam said:

If anyone believes in God/Karma, I'd like their opinion - 

 

It would obviously be morally and/or Karmically bad if I killed someone. I think it would also be bad killing the soi dogs outside my house. I have no issue killing an ant or mosquito. 

Where does one draw the line?  

Personally, I would draw it around a fish or a frog. What say ye philosophers?

 

 

I am with you on that. My girlfriend is a buddhist and she is so careful not to kill anything and certainly does not eat meat. Others say they are buddhists and eat meat and drink and this and that. Hard to say this is actual buddhism but maybe the kharmic laws look at your intention and it's better to be on the path bit by bit.

The line could be not the type of animal but the threat it poses to you. If you are attacked by a tiger or bees or mosquitoes maybe there is a justification. Soi dogs are more a nuisance than a threat so it is hard.  

The line could be the minimum you can eat for survival. If you lived somewhere with no edible plants but lots of fish maybe that is OK because your life depends on it. 

The line could be awareness or conciousness of the eaten thing. Frogs are aware so may be no frogs. New tests show plants react to things and in a sense learn and may have a form of consciousness so maybe without drawing a line you can't eat anything and you die. On that basis too if a human is  brain dead and has no awareness or consciousness you could eat him.

22 hours ago, mauGR1 said:

I believe God is everything,  and the source of everything, including science and "things ".

I also think we should separate the concept of science, as research for knowledge,  from the arrogant,  brainwashed folks who claim that "science knows everything ".

If God wanted us to live the simple life of animals, we would not have such an inquisitive mind and such a powerful imagination. 

It's up to us to make good use of these gifts.

 

 

I haven't seen a post that says 'Science knows everything'. I have seen posts saying that such an opinion is the opposite of science. 

Comparing pseudo science skeptics to evangelicals is also not fair. The first is just saying there's no proof so it is not science but good luck in your endeavors  - no leap of faith required - the second is saying I know that which is correct and you must follow me and the one true faith or go to hell.

Critics of psuedo science aren't saying that all of it is  definitely not correct but they are critical of people who talk as though it is correct without proof.

I would just get a tourist visa for 2 or 3 months. Hire an apartment and see how it goes. Go to a gym, date , get into new habits. An older guy with a superannuation fund who doesn't drink much and is easy going will be popular among thai women. Not just ones who want to rip you off but women who want stability, to be looked after, and are sick of a certain sort of Thai man.

I am in a similar position to you and spent two months in Thailand once in an apartment.  It's not that long but it gave me a taste of retirement. Had a motorbike. Went to gym and had the beach not too far. Good food each night. Had a girlfriend who was fun. Still can watch tv and play internet the same or similar to as before. It's a good life.  Hope to do it for six months a year in five years or so. 

42 minutes ago, Miami007 said:

In your analysis you are omitting European countries - some had strict and some not so strict Lockdowns. Results similar.. just different times for deaths to occur.

But the biggest omission is the disregard of economic suffering for the country and the impact on citizens not being able to return or even leave the country. We criticized the Soviet Union in the 1980s for these restrictions 

I have been separated from my girlfriend in Thailand for a year. I do hope they relax the travel rules as soon as is possible. I am sick of wearing masks. I am working from home and only have to wear them shopping so no big deal. My take on it is that there is a good reason that does make sense so I cop it. What was the reason in the Soviet Union in the 80's - just another dictator who wouldn't let people out I am guessing. 

Some individual businesses have been destroyed by this. You could say that from time to time in Australia they have gone a bit far sometimes with the rules and regulations.

By far though the majority of Australian people have been looked after on jobkeeper and jobseeker payments. Businesses have had similar payments. Particular businesses from hardest hit industries have received grants. The economy is now good. It's not a perfect outcome but overall it is a good outcome. 

You  might have a point about Europe. The different countries have different strategies and  I am not familiar with their outcomes. I think a comparison between Australia and the United States is fair. Different conditions for sure but the difference in outcome is so significant the strategies taken are likely to be a key factor.

25 minutes ago, Naguu said:

It is true that China and Russia are totalitarian states. But ... Here we discuss the pandemic and how to deal with it. Asian states have prevented the pandemic from spreading much better than Western democracies. This is a fact that Western countries are reluctant to acknowledge. People still live in a world of imagination where all things are done right only in the West. It can also be seen in this vaccine debate. I am a strong supporter of demogratian, but the pandemic has shown the weaknesses of Western demogratian to prevent the spread of the pandemic. After all your own mistakes, it is pointless to blame China, for example. Countries could have closed borders a year ago and life would be normal as well as free.

I take your point. The post I was referring to I felt went a bit further than just saying we shouldn't blame China, or that China handled the pandemic well,  and said that it isn't fair for Australia to criticise China as totalitarian. The inference being that Australians had to deal with human rights abuses similar or worse than in China. I strongly disagree with that. 

I'll defend Australia's actions in the pandemic. People may argue the lockdowns were a bit harsh but, linked with targetted government support such as jobkeeper payments, it saved a lot of lives and kept many people and businesses going to the point that the Australian economy is doing well with few covid deaths. 

I'll take an imperfect democracy than a totalitarian regime even if it may at times be less efficient. 

I googled demogration but it's not a word - not trying to be smart just wasn't sure what you meant - probably democracies.

My additional 2 cents is that you have to enjoy life and eat what you want - but what you want can be based on your current habits. If you are sitting in front of a computer or TV most of the day you are more likely to want comfort food all the time. If you do lots of exercise in a way that is hopefully fun it will more likely to be fun to eat healthy and some fried chicken sweets and beer won't be an issue.

If your starting point is https://forum.thaivisa.com/ then it's all under different topics e.g. you'll only find Cambodia stories in the Cambodia section. The advertorial stories are  marked as such at the top after you click into each topic. There's never a problem to know what's what. For some reason you are seeing something different.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Unfortunately science can't prove or disprove spirituality/ God, so while people may try and use it for such it's actually irrelevant, IMO.

 

The one thing that IMO links religion and spirituality is HOPE. Both give us hope that we don't just vanish into dust and everything we ever did is as nothing. To believe that is IMO to believe that we are pointless, and our lives mean nothing. It's no wonder IMO that as the western world loses any belief in God and an after life, our societies are become chaos and disaster, in which only money has any meaning, and in fact money is worshiped, as it is, IMO. Not for nothing does the Bible warn against greed and usery.

Apologies if my last post was a bit dire.

I had to look up ursery - charging an excessive interest - that's a bit obscure.

There is probably a bit more inequality in some western countries than say, 30 years ago, but in Asia and Africa things are much better. Once you go back further, into the world of a powerful church and royal families and a much more class based system, it just gets worse and worse. 

Some say to believe we turn to dust just emphasises the importance of living a full life and doing good if possible. I hope you didn't have to climb a mountain to escape the tsunami warning in New Zealand. Thankfully nothing came. 

25 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So why bring science up in a thread about God? IMO it's off topic.

 

If religion and spirituality holds the same interest for you as chewing gum on the pavement, I fail to understand why you are even commenting. The topic is about God, not science.

At least atheists were on topic.

I think science is relevant because there is a constant interplay in our minds between accepting the known reality of what science tells us and believing in either a god, or some sort of spirituality, or that we are special in some way. I am not saying either is correct but belief, as against hope or an interest in the latter, does require the leap of faith away from science. 

I think everyone goes through that conflict through life of wanting to believe either they are special, or there is a god, be they atheist or a committed christian. It may even take the form of momentary hope that passes by as logic takes hold.

It's not easy or palatable to constantly believe you are a dying piece of meat that becomes dust which I guess is what current scientific theory tells us we are.