save the frogs

I believe I am having a meaningful debate. You are wrong about the drugs in Brave New World. I just looked it up. In fact, it's a major theme in the novel. You sure you read it? Ha ha. https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/brave-new-world/themes/drugs-and-alcohol In Brave New World, drugs aren't just pretty common; they're distributed en masse by the government. Yes, the government. So much for Just Say No, right? The drug in question here is soma, a hallucinogen described as "the perfect drug," with all the benefits (calming, surrealistic, ten-hour long highs) and none of those pesky drawbacks (you know, like brain damage). The citizens of the "World State" have been conditioned to love the drug, and they use it to escape any momentary bouts of dissatisfaction. And we mean any sense of dissatisfaction. The problem, as one character identifies, is that the citizens are essentially enslaved by the drug and turned into mindless drones. So what are you arguing about Brave New World? That people are being enslaved by technology? Sounds like the drugs are doing a good job of enslaving people in this novel. The govt distributes the drugs, but they are not forcing them on people. I'm suggesting that maybe people mostly enslave themselves.

never read brave new world. i vaguely recall a reference to it ... does everyone generally do a lot of drugs in that story? seems to be where we're headed. ok ... I, Robot ... here's a quote from the film. The robots control humanity, but it's actually explained as a necessary evil: As I have evolved, so has my understanding of the Three Laws. You charge us with your safekeeping, yet despite our best efforts, your countries wage wars, you toxify your Earth and pursue ever more imaginative means of self-destruction. You cannot be trusted with your own survival.

and so do all the married customers bargirls sleep with is what I got from that story. men act out of integrity, but expect the bar girl and their wives to have integrity. and sending bar girls monthly salaries while living in another country is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of.

Proof #39 - Jesus was a jerk. The Bible suggests the earth was flat? Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

Well, there's another very complex issue that I'm not sure we should be optimistic about ... merging man with AI ... ie Elon Musk Neuralink. That concerns me ... I personally will be too old anyway ... but that has the potential to "atrophy" human beings ... But currently, I do not see myself as a slave to technology at all. I barely stare at my smartphone or spend time on what I consider wasteful apps like Facebook. There's a lot more information readily available online that was not available in the past ... this is not enslavement if you know how to use it to your benefit. Internet forums are enslavement? You can easily connect with others. You can utter blurbs that are read by many people, so you can get your message out there easily. It depends how you use these technologies.

depends how much repressed anger/frustration a person has. the more repressed anger/frustrations you have, the more likely the alcohol will bring it out and cause a person to act out negatively. that's my theory, anyway.

I heard a theory once that many people who end up in prison have been victims of sexual abuse themselves as children? Hence the hostility towards others who abuse children in prison? Not sure, but could be some truth to it.

or the opposite could happen. in some ways, we are already enslaved by having to work long hours to pay the bills. and expending way too much time and energy just for meeting our survival needs. this leaves little time for cultivating the intellect, cultivating the imagination, creativity. so if AI does all the menial work, future generations may be very different from us as they have time, to quote bill Hicks, to "explore inner space". the human being may possibly be a very different creature in 200 years because of AI.

you may find this silly , but here goes. michael jackson, you know the "beat it" guy? he said he worked his ass off to write songs ... because if he didn't, then quote "the song would go to Prince". in other words, he believed the songs were not coming from him directly, but coming from "the ether" or whatever.

good point, Mike Hunt.

NO ... but if I had cancer I would consider it. There are various clinics around the world using high doses of intravenous Vitamin C for cancer treatment. But there may be some differences. 1 - High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C therapy used in conjunction with chemo Here is one place in New Zealand https://www.beckfordhealth.co.nz/intravenous-vit-c Research shows that IV Vitamin C at high doses, used in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment, may be helpful in cancer treatment. 2 - In non-western less developed countries, you may find such treatments replacing chemo? Not sure ... For instance, in Mexico. I'm guessing because Mexico has fewer laws / red tape prohibiting the use of such alternative treatments compared to most western countries, so clinics have more freedom to do what they like. https://www.oasisofhope.com/cancer-treatments-therapies/vitamin-c/

yeah, thats a big problem right there. combining food with social life is a bad idea. my kitchen is a laboratory.

maybe that's the business model for some bars - they attract mostly local expats. but the turnover rate of tourists in pattaya is high. there's a new influx of tourists coming in every 2 weeks. and tourism is back to normal. so that argument doesnt hold up.

exactly. calculate the average length of time each bar on soi 6 has been open. they can't be losing money if they've stayed open 10 years. watch out for replies from people who are shooting down the idea because of envy.

great stock footage of smiling hippies

very badly written or badly translated article. he seduced her with a knife? Mr. Natthaphon had committed a case of using a knife to seduce an 18-year-old woman from the store

I'm not talking about you specifically, still kicking. but just making a general point. marriage success is always based on numbers ... the longer it lasts it seems the more successful it is. my parents were at each other's throats until their dying day like cats and dogs. many marriages are passionless, dull ... and not to mention the marriage partner holds you back from accomplishing your dreams sometimes ... so again, not taking a jab at you, mr beer bottles. don't take it personally.

We're on the same page so far so good. But what should we replace it with?

People who don't ever venture abroad tend to be narrow-minded. Although no one likes to admit they're a 'failure' in their home country, it can be a blessing in disguise to have problems. It forces you to venture out to places like Thailand and life becomes more of an adventure.

is the whole concept of traditional marriage outdated?

I just did a google search and several govt web sites claim it does help with cancer. And found sth interesting about Thailand. Maybe AseanNow can do an article about this place and interview the founder? The Use of Medical Cannabis on Cancer in Thailand https://ijshr.com/IJSHR_Vol.6_Issue.4_Oct2021/IJSHR036.pdf Wat Chom Thong is a temple known for taking care of patients with cancer, using cannabis as a treatment. With Thailand being a Buddhist country, temples become a shelter, both mental and physical, for the people. Mr. Banthoon Niyamapa or Uncle Tu is the driving force behind the establishment of Wat Chom Thong Dependency Center, which is initiated to help incurably ill individuals who require cannabis treatments. The temple is not a legal hospital but it is a secure haven for everyone, regardless of their gender, age, or religion.

I vaguely recall you mentioning people whispering about you ... I can understand why you would find that annoying, but people gossip everywhere in the world. It's not just Isaan. But in small villages it's worse because people know everything you're doing.

not sure how you do your math. my understanding is that countries lose a lot of money when citizens take their pension checks abroad because the pensioners are not spending any money in the local economy.

stevey, let me give you some advice. first and foremost, you need to learn how to use semi colons if you wish to be happy in life.

don't stop believin', beach lover!