GammaGlobulin

Never mind what others might say. But what do you think Maslow might think of you? Just out of curiosity, what music do you favor? Country? Rock? Blues? Jazz? Or, do you dig the Shostakovich Symphony No. 13, Babi Yar? You are old enough to know about Babi Yar? Does your curiosity extend that far?

Forever planning his next trip. As you said.

Timothy Leary?

In this case of special relativity, one becomes like Isaac Newton. One believes in the universe, and one also believes in God. It is not unheard of for a logical mind to embrace two beliefs which are mutually incompatible. This is called Blind Faith. Blind Faith is something you might know about.

Just an example of my/your curiosity about life: a. Why do most household fans in Thailand rotate in the same direction? Why can't we have some fans going one way, and other fans going the other way? Is there a logical reason? b. Why is it that when I am in the Northern hemisphere the water going down the drain spins in one direction, clockwise, while in the Southern hemisphere, the water disappears down the drain with an anti-clockwise rotation? c. Why do some people say "counterclockwise", while others, in the UK, say "anti-clockwise"? If you want to get smart, then try to be like your two-year-old self. Always ask why. No question is too ridiculous for you. Never be afraid to ask anything. And, encourage your teachers to be more in tune with the Socratic Method of teaching. And, what is a Greek chorus? Always ask why.

You guys. You are so very naïve. You think two ear plugs will help you. Ear plugs will only cause you further pain. The only way to solve this noise problem is to go down. Down, about three feet. If you trust me, then just dig your hole in the ground. It's very quiet underground. And, don't come up until the music stops.

Not unsurprisingly, any time I might post a topic about noise, I get shouted down. Finally, there is someone else who has posted another noise topic which makes us all feel a bit better. All the above suggestions concerning how you might cope with noise are completely useless. There is no solution to be found, above ground. You will never find peace and quiet in Thailand, and so steel yourself for this realization, if you intend to live here for any length of time. Of course, it is NEVER the case that there is no solution to any given problem. And, really, the only solution to the noise problem in Thailand, in most places, is to go underground. What you need is to dig a bunker deep enough to obviate hearing even the loudest bass music from the lousiest bands in Thailand. I am not sure how you will do this. Actually, you do not need an overly large underground bunker. Most objectionable noise happens only during 12 hours of the day. Therefore, if you dig your bunker, then you could exist down there for most of the day, in peace, And then you could return to above ground when the din dies down. Primarily, what you need is a safe place, a safe retreat, where you can slink away when the noise gets tough. Why? Because, this is just due to human psychology. IF you have a safe retreat, then you will be far less likely to become stressed by noise. In other words, if you are provided with an "option" of going down into your underground bunker, then you will feel more at ease staying above ground, despite the same amount of noise, with far more equanimity. I could explain how this works, but it might take more time than I am allotted here. Concerning various underground bunker choices, there are plenty to choose from. And, underground bunkers are becoming evermore popular with preppers, for example. If I had purchased land in Thailand, or if I could purchase land in Thailand, one of my first priorities would be to construct an underground bunker, even before I built my above-ground living area. You might think that living below ground is too extreme a solution for you. However, nothing could be further from the truth. For example, we now have many new technologies which make underground living possible. Sunlight can easily be ducted in using so-called Solar Tunnels. But, even if you are deep enough to make solar tubes impractical, still there are very many other solution that can make our underground living space so very comfortable. Most of the noise you experience does not happen 24-hours-per-day. In order to live a very comfortable and more stress-free, almost noise-free, existence, then you would only need to stay underground for eight to ten hours per day. And then, you could emerge above-ground, to enjoy the quiet period, from 2AM to 6AM. Fortunately, these days, I do not live among roosters as I did for several years in the past. But this does not mean that I am not subjected to extremely high levels of sound pressure from aircraft flying overhead, day after day. And, this kind of noise takes it's toll on one. And, I can reference many studies which shows this to be true, if only you would read them. Therefore, the only sure solution to this noise pollution problem is just to go underground. Become a Farang mole, is my best advice. Nothing else will solve your problem so easily. Go underground, my son.

Strange as it may be, I never upload a topic here before I have fully researched it. In this case, and in consideration of this topic, there are many well-documented scholarly research papers which discuss the correlation and interconnection between curiosity, longevity, and wellbeing. Some might dispute conclusions stating there is any positive correlation between curiosity and longevity. However, there is very little evidence to support the contrary view. For one thing, we know that higher IQ scores, and higher cognitive function, helps to stave off dementia. And, we think that we know that higher proclivity for sustained curiosity throughout life correlates well with higher intelligence. However, we also know that, while a much higher IQ score can delay onset of dementia, still, once dementia sets in, then the onset of dementia seems to happen very rapidly. In conclusion: a. It is better to be curious and more open to new ideas and more liberal in one's thinking, and more cognitively adaptable. b. Liberal thinkers are just more fun. c. If you wish to live longer, and wish to remain lucid longer, then be more playful in your thinking. Always be playful in thought and spirit. If maintaining a playful slant throughout your life also means succumbing to sporadic impishness, when conditions allow, then so be it. Never be a scrooge. Because, you might live out your life without ever being rescued, unlike the fortunate Scrooge. When you get to the point that you no longer feel the need to know something new, then you are doomed. What is beyond what we cannot yet see? Does Cosmology do nothing for you? Or, are you the type that prefers the study and application of Cosmetology? I will never wear lipstick and rouge Barry Lyndon is a great film. The best music in the film, Barry Lyndon, is this...

Concerning epistemic curiosity, I just wonder how many know much about this. My guess is that quite a few of us know more than we are telling. I would say that there are just too many here who hide their lights under their baskets. This forum is a funny thing. People try to play dumb, just for the fun of it. There is no doubt that the average IQ on this forum is about 115. Meaning that there are some lurkers here with a very high IQ. However, I know of one who states he has a high IQ who, in fact, does not. He just slides by on his high emotional IQ. The traits of high curiosity and higher intelligence scores seem to be correlated. But, you can't compare a curious cat with a curious human, and then infer that curious humans are more likely to die as a result of their curiosity, as might a curious cat. Because, as was stated in the topic, or implied, the topic is mostly about epistemic curiosity, and not about the curiosity of the average house cat.

You may not appreciate this, however I am impressed and thankful to read your more nuanced response to this topic. In your cat's case, too much curiosity was a killer. Which reminds me of Lee Marvin in the film, "The Killers". The Killers is a film to die for, and Marvin said that it was his favorite film. Not to mention, John Cassavetes and Angie Dickenson, both of whom are great stars. And now, you got me going...just thinking of Gena Rowlands. To sum up: There are very few stars in Hollywood, these days, who can measure up to Cassavetes and Rowlands. Also, if one were to compare Science to Hollywood, then one would be Galileo, and the other would be Galilei. Curiosity is truly the only reason we are here. And, creativity goes hand-in-hand with curiosity. I just wish I were young enough to see all these great films, one more time, and for the very first time. Being old is not all that it's cracked up to be. JS Bach is something that you can listen to, over and over, and it only gets better the more you listen. However, Hollywood and Bollywood films, except for a very few films, become as appetizing as the night-before leftover pizza, when one tries to view them a second time. We are always seeking something new. This is our quest. We are never satisfied. And this sense of curiosity, and always the drive to seek out something newer and bigger, will be mankind's ultimate downfall, and will, inevitably lead to the end of organized human civilization, as we now know it. This is all according to Chomsky, and other thinkers. Chomsky has too much intelligence for his own good. Just a trait he has too much of, as you say.

Dear Friends, Let me make this short. I have often wondered whether or not curiosity about the world might either add to or subtract from the number of years we enjoy before inevitably heading off into the Land of Nod, by which I mean this land of nothingness that some call the afterlife. For example, how many additional years to your life might this curious and priceless trait of being curious afford you? My guess is that this trait of curiosity is very much undervalued in today’s world. And, maybe this is why people today settle for less. Curiosity contributes much to our wellbeing. Not all of us are fortunate enough to be blessed with an overpowering and everlasting curiosity about Everything. Just wondering: How curious are you? How has your tendency towards almost constant curiosity improved your life? On the day you die, will you continue to be curious about what happens next? I am a very curious fellow, and I would not choose to be otherwise. Unfortunately, there are those who seem to exhibit very little curiosity about almost anything. I feel sorry for those fellows. How curious are you? Are you proud to be a person of great curiosity? Genius, as you know, derives, at least partially, from a strong sense of curiosity about all things. The more curious the lab rat, the quicker the rat masters running the maze. Cats are known for being curious. And, it is a myth that cats have nine lives. Without curiosity, Newton would never have created his telescope with an objective mirror made of tin and copper. Now we use glass. Newton lived a good and long life. His curiosity should be a lesson to us all. I have built a few telescopes, but I never finished grinding the mirrors. I probably had too much curiosity and not enough persistence. What about your curiosity about life? How has your sense of curiosity enhanced your life from one of humdrum existence to something more? Will you live beyond your years, as a result of your curiosity? You probably would not even be here in Thailand if you were not so curious. Regards, GammaG

Can we, then, look forward to news of your next issue within the next nine months? Hot tubs are helpful during the cool season in Thailand. Probably the only way to keep warm, besides, for some, rubbing two sticks together.

Gamma-ray Cosmology and Tests of Fundamental Physics (J. Biteau, M. Meyer) "The propagation of gamma-rays over cosmological distances is the subject of extensive theoretical and observational research at GeV and TeV energies. The mean free path of gamma-rays in the cosmic web is limited above 100 GeV due to the production of electrons and positrons on the cosmic optical and infrared backgrounds. Electrons and positrons cool in the intergalactic medium while gyrating in its magnetic fields, which could cause either its global heating or the production of lower-energy secondary gamma-rays. The energy distribution of gamma-rays surviving the cosmological journey carries observed absorption features that gauge the emissivity of baryonic matter over cosmic time, constrain the distance scale of ΛCDM cosmology, and limit the alterations of the interaction cross section. Competitive constraints are in particular placed on the cosmic star-formation history as well as on phenomena expected from quantum gravity and string theory, such as the coupling to hypothetical axion-like particles or the violation of Lorentz invariance. Recent theoretical and observational advances offer a glimpse of the multi-wavelength and multi-messenger path that the new generation of gamma-ray observatories is about to open." Gamma particles are no laughing matter. After all, Gamma particles have the energy required to break chemical bonds in the structure of your DNA, which can be a nuisance some time in your near future.

Gamma rays? Of all the different types of ionizing radiation, Gamma has tremendous penetrating power. Gamma rays, however, are less ionizing than alpha or beta particles. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/15/NASA's_Fermi_Explores_the_Early_Universe.ogv/NASA's_Fermi_Explores_the_Early_Universe.ogv.720p.vp9.webm Gamma particles can travel through space with the greatest of ease. However, most are easily absorbed in Earth's atmosphere, fortunately, or unfortunately.

OK. Two separate menus is something that we have known about for very many years. I'm just stating that I think that two separate menus is a very minor issue. This is only my opinion. When I go to a restaurant, I have the choice to order from the menu written in Thai, or the menu with photos. Also, the proffered food selections on different menus is often not the same. And, consequently, the prices may differ. Basically, it's up to the clientele. The consumer has freedom of choice. I have only ONCE experienced a problem where I was consistently charged more than my Thai friends. And, in this case, I was a frequent customer eating 50 meals per month. The solution was simple. I just changed restaurants and ate at the restaurant next door. Never make an enemy of your cook might be good advice. I think Anthony Bourdain might say the same. Now, please get real... Nobody in this world pays the same for anything. Do you become angry with your bank for charging you a higher rate of interest for your house loan, compared to the lower interest rate given to some fat cat? I really don't understand the occasional frustration that some people might be feeling. You choose to come to Thailand. And then you complain that things here are not exactly the same as you knew them in your home country. Well, this is only to be expected. Not speaking too overly deridingly about Out of Towners, I think that they should keep their traps shut, and just vote with their pocketbooks, instead. Nobody likes whiners here in Thailand. Or, maybe you don't understand the culture? One thing that I have learned living here is this: Don't be negative. Don't be a whiner. Sometimes you can whine and complain. But, the very next day, you must make amends for your complaining. It's not just Thailand. If you wish to live amicably here in Asia, then you need to learn to bend like bamboo. You stay strong by knowing how to bend. I know that there are many others here who have lived in Asia more than 45 years. But not many farang can say the same. I know this because I have outlasted most of the farang I have ever met. I first set foot here in 1971. Most of my adult life has been lived in China. But that doesn't matter. What matters here in Asia is that you go with the flow. You bend like bamboo. Asia is not the West, young man. If it's your mission to reform the world, in a flash, through your personal brilliance and insight, then don't come to Asia. And, don't come here if you are likely to become outraged by anything you see or experience. Instead, if you wish a new travel experience, hassle free, then my best advice for you is to book a month's stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City. There, in Quebec City, everyone is treated equally, according to whether or not one speaks English or French. Sorry for being so facetious. But, do you really think that we will ever find some place where all men are treated equal, and women, too?

Your "problem" may have been the result of your dining with your Thai wife. For example, I always eat alone, and I have never been charged more than the Thai people sitting next to me are charged for any given selection. Also, I don't order from menus with pictures of food. Have you ever been to a Michelin-rated restaurant with photos of food on the menu? Very unlikely. Sometimes, you might not even see a price for your selection. Strange as it may seem, in Thailand, I have very rarely been charged more than local people are charged for any given product or service. Maybe once. Why is this? Maybe the answer is sort of the same as the question, why do bar girls dislike wasting time talking to farang who speak Thai? When I was much younger, if I walked into a girlie bar, and wished to have company, the very last thing I would do would to speak fluent Chinese. The same goes for ordering food in Thailand. That is; don't go into the restaurant speaking Chinese. It's no wonder you were overcharged. Your sob story is exactly the same as we have heard, repeatedly,on this forum. And, in fact, there are many cautionery tales uploaded to YouTube about this topic. Anyway, I don't know what you are complaining about, actually. Even if you were slightly overcharged, still you are paying far less than what New Yorker's pay in the West Village. I have been here in Asia a very long time. And there are only two things that I find extremely annoying, an unrelated to my dining. a. I don't like aircraft flying overhead. b. I don't appreciate the disturbance caused by amplified music, and amplified shouting. Men shouting is tolerable. However, men shouting into microphones, with a few thousand watts, and huge audio speakers, is disgusting. I am sure that most Thai people feel as I do. We don't care how much we pay for food. But, we just want to get rid of the idiots who shout into microphones, amplified by thousands of watts, which disturbs the peace of our peaceful society. Why don't you ask your wife to prepare a picnic basket? All ingredients are available, cheaply, at Big C.

My definition of true Thainess is a group of people who have an IQ of 130, or above, who enjoy Thai food, who do not raise roosters, who wear conservative clothes, are mostly monogamous, and smile while also laughing at any adversity that might come their way. Or, Thainess is never having to say you're sorry for not having planned for the future. I love Thai culture, no matter how indefinable it may be. Thai culture is a many splendored thing.

Dynamite advice concerning staying current with vaccinations. Vaccines are cheap compared to the price of avoidable illness. Also, to be jabbed by a Thai nurse can't be bad. Some Thai nurses even hand out lollipops if you get your jab and do not cry. During the recent two years, the closest I have been to a woman is to get stuck by one. These must be troubled times, indeed, if the high point of my year has been to be jabbed by a pretty, and kind, nurse, at the hospital. By the way, the girls who give you your vaccines are well trained here in Thailand. These girls first aspirate, before going all the way. Such a minor thing, yet important.

Yes. I have been to Pattaya. However, I have never been to Pattaya in the sense of being to Paris.

Have you ever wondered why the Snow Monkey of Japan propogates so prolifically in the winter months? Steam. Snow monkeys love the hot springs in Nagano. I went to Nagano with my GF during the Winter Olympics. We stayed in a suite with a private bath supplied by the hot spring. We had a big picture window from our bath overlooking the natural pools outside. In these pools, there were many Snow Monkeys Most of monkeys were just relaxing and socializing. But, two were doing it... Anyway, from our perspective, it seemed pretty intense for me and my GF to be in our own private hot tub while overlooking the Snow Monkeys in their pristine habitat, soaking in warm pools of water, in the snow. Best sex I have ever had. Not joking. There are some delights which even Pattaya cannot offer. Sex among the Snow Monkeys, huge drifts of snow, fur trees, steam, snacks, almost indescribable. Expensive, but worth it. Probably the best time in my life. Most people here in Thailand don't understand the magnificence of having plenty of hot water while bathing with your beloved, especially when it's cold outside. Japan is best during winter months. Not sure if anybody here has read Spring Snow. Yukio Mishima. Those school girls walking over the bridge in winter really turned me on when I was a school boy. Not sure what else I can say to more evoke feelings of love for cold weather in you. Think of cherry blossoms before the last snow has fully melted. Think of Spring Snow. Think of Nara many years ago. Sometimes I wonder if there is any romance left in this world. But then, watching the Snow Monkeys romancing in hot spring pools, in the winter, I realize that true romance yet remains among the lesser apes, even if snow monkeys are not apes. During the cool season, the place where I do my best thinking is in the shower. It's not easy to think much if your water heater is underpowered. 8000 watts is entirely insufficient during the cooler months in Thailand. Please keep this word of friendly advice in mind if you wish to retire here. During the Cool Season, you can't have too much steam.

Stiebel Eltron 202151 DHX 15-2 Plus Point-of-Use Tankless Electronic Water Heater, 240V, 14400 Watts. Problem SOLVED. Most guys here have never enjoyed a proper hot shower in the Cool Season. You can buy this water heater for Bt.6000 from Amazon. So, get your water pressure up to snuff, and then up your water heater to at least 14,000 watts, and stop shivering while taking a shower. Also, if you have good water pressure and enough heat for your water, your bathroom will become totally steamed up in the cool season.. And, this will improve your sex life. I have had my best sex in steamy rooms. Trust me.

OK. Let's get serious. How many of you expect another cold spell as we experienced in the Cool Season of 2013-2014? That was a Three-Dog Cool Season that we will never forget. Anybody here recall that Ridu Yan? It was COLD! At the time, people were worried if people my age might die of heart attack from the cold. And this ain't no lie. That was the year I tried to buy a heat pump. Unfortunately, in Thailand, most ACs do not have this function. If you want a decent heat pump, split AC, then you won't find it for sale in Thailand. Better try Kyoto. This is why I always buy an 8000 watt hot water heater for my shower. Actually, 8000 watts is NEVER enough. But, I don't have 440 volts available to my bathroom. If a cold snap happens, then I will need a Stiebel Eltron with 16000 watt capacity. Or, I have been considering hooking up two 8000 watt Stiebel water heaters in series. This would do the trick. But, really, coldness is just a state of mind. If it gets really cold for you in Thailand, then just chow down on pemmican, and you will be right as rain, in no time.

Clothes. I look forward to being able to wear clothes again, instead of just a towel to cover the loins. Before coming to Thailand, I used to be a real clothes horse. Usually a darkish navy jacket, grey flannel trousers, blue oxford-weave shirts, and oxblood penny loafers. Maybe I will buy a large silk, hand-tied carpet from Pakistan.

Thank you for being game enough to reply to my questions. I agree with your answers, save your reply to the last question. I think that you need to rethink this last answer. Think of men carrying clubs, hunting. Men communicate best while walking. Your thought about JS Bach is the one I like most. JS Bach worked his guts out in order to create music which would be significant enough to glorify his god. Nobody has ever come close to creating more purely joyous music. I don't know if you have ever heard of Columbia University. Probably not, is my guess. Still, if you are a fan of JS Bach, once each year, the radio station at Columbia plays nothing but Bach, for a week. Concerning your interesting questions, of me, these are no more than good fodder for future topics. When you say that you wear clogs, are your clogs a Clockwork Orange? Because, basically, I am opposed to men, particularly NY chefs, who wear orange clogs. Have you ever dined at one of his restaurants? In my opinion, the only good clogs are worn by geisha in Kyoto. A decent meal in Tokyo might set you back USD3000.00, wooden clogs, and all. No saki. No sucki. Speaking of Japan, and knowing that you are an engineer, did you ever read the technical reports about what went wrong with the 747 disaster? You should. Very interesting because, in the aftermath, two Boeing guys in Japan fell on their swords. Most guys here are too young to recall this disaster. But fortunately, you are 79. Sorry, but I don't recall the flight number. I know that it was a domestic flight, and might have been heading to Hokkaido. I just a problem with the bolts being installed backwards, as I recall. And, the guy from Boeing was hopping mad. What did you call me? A jack of all trades? And, a master of none? Such a well-deserved compliment I have never received. One important question we have not yet discussed. If you are 79, then did you ever fight in Vietnam along with the Green Beret, special forces? I'm referring to the guys who served in the early 1960s. 1965, 1966. Regarding sports, I prefer a sport with no spectators. No TV cameras. For example, I once enjoyed running up and down stadium benches. You should try this sport on for size. One false step and the outcome is worse than getting hit with one of your golf balls. What do you know about Celestial Navigation? For example, if I were to provide you with a sextant, a foot point, and a celestial body from Pattaya, do you think you would be able to navigate your way home? Anyway, if I had my life to do over, knowing that there are no do-overs, I would choose to be a procter in a girl's boarding school. Why? Young girls are very respectful. It's alway yes sir. Ok, sir. Thank you, sir. But the boys? You never know if they might be hiding a Glock in their pocket. One, of many, questions you did not ask me. Is life better now, meaning better than the 1950s. The answer is that, in the 1950s, I had no idea how many neutrinos were passing through my testicles, per second, minute by minute. Too much information can lead to questioning the purpose of life. In the 1950s, we had teachers like Richard Feynman who were more certain than teachers are, these days. They wore white shirts, with narrow black ties. Those were the days before up-talk. Like, the 1950s was, like, different, like, not like today, like, it was more free of anxiety, like, not easy to explain, like, I can't really tell you about it, like. Besides knowing that the color of your shoes is oxblood, do you know anything about uptalk, like? Concerning the state of my erections, which was another of your questions. I refer you to the first or second chapter of the novel The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe. In Tom's book, he clearly states that one of his pivotal characters, living in NYC, was easily able to drape a wet cotton towel over his member without any appreciable deflection downwards. Personally, I love Tom's writing. It's refreshing. I sometimes get hard just reading him. I hope that you don't mind my honest responses to your questions. It's always best to be honest, as Twain often said. Twain is a favorite of yours.

Are you the next Henry Fielding? Fielding was not a professional writer, Can you, as a professional writer, write anything as great as Fanny Hill? Next time you write something as great as Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, please publish it here. Or, even more interesting: Are you sort of a writer, similar to the professional writer, Galileo Galilei? Maybe you are as disturbed, as was Darwin. another professional writer? Actually, you don't sound like a professional writer, too much. What is a euphemism, anyway? Do you mean something like if I were to use the word pistil? OK, fine. I love pistils.