At your age: Do you still take life seriously?

[spidermike007]

13 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Of course if the percentage of absolute fools stayed the same as the population grew this is of course true.

Also, with the rise of global communication we are exposed to more fools that we never would have encountered previously.

For example, in days of yore the OP would have written the opening post in one of hundreds of spiral notebooks piled in his living quarters and no one else would ever have seen it.

But that's not the case. I think there is no doubt the population is getting dumber and dumber, and rather than advancing we are moving backwards as civilization. 

[cdemundo]

1 minute ago, spidermike007 said:

But that's not the case. I think there is no doubt the population is getting dumber and dumber, and rather than advancing we are moving backwards as civilization. 

Actually, so called experts can be found to support that the general population is getting less intelligent  or increasing in intelligence. So who knows.

 

"But that's not the case. I think there is no doubt..."

 

So to quote the ancient text "You speak as one having authority..."

 

You might find the following quote interesting:

"The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."

Bertrand Russell

[georgegeorgia]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

But that's not the case. I think there is no doubt the population is getting dumber and dumber, and rather than advancing we are moving backwards as civilization. 

Absolutely 

You hit the nail on the head 

I look at society now especially police and government workers who are dancing in tiktok etc 

What's happened

[spidermike007]

52 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Absolutely 

You hit the nail on the head 

I look at society now especially police and government workers who are dancing in tiktok etc 

What's happened

Great essay. When people think of civilisation, they typically think of increasing technological sophistication. That has always been a part of what anthropologists examine when they write about different civilisations. But they’ve always gone much beyond that to look at other attributes of society, most notably temperance and disposition to co-existence. One does not have to be an anthropologist or sociologist to notice that both are generally static or in decline worldwide.

 

Today the echo-chamber is largely housed in social media, where groups reinforce each other’s grievances without rebuttal or critique. It has the effect of compromising rationality, even of otherwise rational people. It is in this regard that IPOB, Boko Haram and America’s white supremacists have much in common. Alas, they are not alone.

 

Take a look at the carnage in Gaza, the result of an unending conflict between Jews and Palestinians, two people with much kinship. Somehow, Israel believes that its path to peace lies in expanding farther and farther into Palestinian territories and keeping the Palestinians caged in. Meanwhile, embittered Palestinians — embodied by Hamas — believe that firing relatively crude missiles into Israel is the way out. That is, despite knowing that the Israelis will bombard the congested territory, killing hundreds and leveling neighbourhoods.

 

The potentially cataclysmic lag in the evolution of human emotions would seem to be a priority to researchers. Instead, some of the world’s brightest minds are labouring to make robots more human. A much more urgent quest would be to seek to make humans more humane.

 

The idea is to cultivate those traits that supposedly distinguish us as humans so that we may transcend the animalistic instincts that have remained with us over several millennia of evolution. Specifically, that would entail cultivating positive traits such as empathy, honesty and a sense of justice while weeding out the negatives such as self-centeredness, anger and malice. It’s a matter of survival of society as we know it.

 

https://punchng.com/civilisation-is-in-reverse/

 

[fredwiggy]

On 8/9/2024 at 10:49 AM, KhunLA said:

Don't do it, you'll never fly again.

 

Worked for an airlines, and usually only flew 1st Class.  Talk about being spoiled and turned into a snob.

 

I dread flying in the back of the bus now, and one of main reasons I don't travel international any more.  That an the silly 3 hr check time.   Nothing to see or do worth that silliness.

 

Economy, even what they call business class now, is just too degrading 

Whats the alternative to never flying again, especially if you're going overseas? I guess a bot works, but it takes awhile longer.

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Whats the alternative to never flying again, especially if you're going overseas? I guess a bot works, but it takes awhile longer.

Never said 'don't fly again', just that you may not want to, in the back of the bus, after you realize, you deserve the comforts you may not be able to afford all the time after flying 1st Class.   One trip in comfort instead of 10 in the sardine can, for too many hours, may not be an easy adjustment for many.  Especially the sex tourist, as would limit their smile factor.

 

17 yrs working for airlines, and I'm traveled out, as I used the hell out of them flight bennys.  Every month, every other week, every week, I was going somewhere.

 

Alternative ... when not working for the airlines, I explored locally, or a bit further.  USA is a big place, and almost impossible to see it all in one lifetime.   Though I hung out along the Caribbean beaches & islands mostly.

 

Locally, USA, PA (home state), NJ, NY, MD, DE, all stone's throw away.  Lived in MI, FL, TN, so some intense exploring there.   Be amazed what's available locally if not seeking it out.

 

TH, it's a bit small, so actually winding down on my O&A after almost 24 years.   Still find some interesting things, more like nice journeys & views.   Destination leave a bit to be desired of late, except Krung Thep, as always something going on there, though the congestion is a bit of a turn off.

 

I don't see the desire / attraction of repeat holidays in TH, when many people never really explored locally.  And those that think Patts, Phuket, Ao Nang, CM or Hua Hin is all TH has to offer or been to, are missing a lot.   Especially if they only travel during smog season.

 

Still a lot of National Parks in USA I never made it to, along with a few states.   Alaska for one, would be first stop if ever returned to for a visit.

 

Guess everything is location and finance dependent.   

[GammaGlobulin]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I once bought a housebus with the intention of seeing the country the slow way around after I retired. I went back overseas after buying it and a "friend" was going to look after it for me. Turned out he wasn't a friend and my housebus wasn't ( in existence ) either.

Life is easy for some, money, wine, women and song fill their days with no effort on their part, but the rest of us do it the hard way.

 

PS. I imagine my house bus would also have had an interesting paint job, but not as ferocious as that.

 

That is the bus used by the Merry Pranksters, and the paint job was appropriate for the purpose.

 

[retarius]

I am early 70s, functionally disabled and in poor health since my COVID attack.

I do take my life seriously but recognise that I will not be around too much longer.

I've no regrets, and no heartache, I will be grateful for the rest that I get when I die. I find our times totally bizarre and hate all the lying in all walks of life. I'm sick of liars 

I got tired of boozy friends and don't imbibe any more or socialise, all the talk of football and sports bores me to tears. I like spending intense time with my Thai wife and doing things together. As for a solitary hobby it is reading. Frankly, I have travelled everywhere I want to go, seen all the concerts I want to see, seen all the operas I want to, watched most of the movies I want to watch, got drunk with 'mates' probably thousands of times; and I feel I have done enough to last me a lifetime. 

[fredwiggy]

36 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Never said 'don't fly again', just that you may not want to, in the back of the bus, after you realize, you deserve the comforts you may not be able to afford all the time after flying 1st Class.   One trip in comfort instead of 10 in the sardine can, for too many hours, may not be an easy adjustment for many.  Especially the sex tourist, as would limit their smile factor.

 

17 yrs working for airlines, and I'm traveled out, as I used the hell out of them flight bennys.  Every month, every other week, every week, I was going somewhere.

 

Alternative ... when not working for the airlines, I explored locally, or a bit further.  USA is a big place, and almost impossible to see it all in one lifetime.   Though I hung out along the Caribbean beaches & islands mostly.

 

Locally, USA, PA (home state), NJ, NY, MD, DE, all stone's throw away.  Lived in MI, FL, TN, so some intense exploring there.   Be amazed what's available locally if not seeking it out.

 

TH, it's a bit small, so actually winding down on my O&A after almost 24 years.   Still find some interesting things, more like nice journeys & views.   Destination leave a bit to be desired of late, except Krung Thep, as always something going on there, though the congestion is a bit of a turn off.

 

I don't see the desire / attraction of repeat holidays in TH, when many people never really explored locally.  And those that think Patts, Phuket, Ao Nang, CM or Hua Hin is all TH has to offer or been to, are missing a lot.   Especially if they only travel during smog season.

 

Still a lot of National Parks in USA I never made it to, along with a few states.   Alaska for one, would be first stop if ever returned to for a visit.

 

Guess everything is location and finance dependent.   

The only time I have comfort on the usual 12 hour flight across the ocean is when I'm the only one in three seats across so I can lie down. No interest in paying more money for a bit more leg room.

[jwest10]

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Life is not guaranteed 

 

Dont start hoarding your money away especially if your in your 70's

 

What is money anyway?

 

[Hummin]

Just now, jwest10 said:

What is money anyway?

 

Safety and happiness if you have enough

[KhunLA]

26 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The only time I have comfort on the usual 12 hour flight across the ocean is when I'm the only one in three seats across so I can lie down. No interest in paying more money for a bit more leg room.

TBH, if I had to pay the fares they asked, and sit in the back, I'd never had flown on a plane.

 

First 3 airlines I worked for, flights were free, I think, and next to it.   Last airlines, NWA, it was $10 or $20 for 1st class, one way.  International flights, <$200 for 1st class R/T.

 

Yea, I used the hell out of those bennies.  Especially the last 10 ish years working for NWA, as usually only worked 2 days a week, and able to take weeks off at a time.  They had very lacks work rules, and even those got bent.   

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/11/2024 at 2:00 PM, georgegeorgia said:

I don't believe in revenge but you really need to call this guy now and remind him and ask him where the bus is 

If it still exists it is beyond salvage. I know where it was, but that was 15 years ago. I was unable to rescue it back then because I was overseas and the cost of transporting it was beyond me. He had abandoned it without maintenance for years ( that I was unaware of- I thought he was looking after it ) and would have required a major rebuild of the motor and body.

If I tried to take revenge I'd end up in trouble with the cops.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/11/2024 at 2:16 PM, spidermike007 said:

But that's not the case. I think there is no doubt the population is getting dumber and dumber, and rather than advancing we are moving backwards as civilization. 

I see we actually agree on some things.

[thaibeachlovers]

23 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

That is, despite knowing that the Israelis will bombard the congested territory, killing hundreds and leveling neighbourhoods.

You ignore that they actually believe that if they are killed fighting the israelis they go to a better life.

That prospect certainly is more attractive that the horrid reality of their life under israeli control. Young boys probably want to grow up to become martyrs after killing israelis.

[thaibeachlovers]

18 hours ago, jwest10 said:

What is money anyway?

 

Try living without it.

[thaibeachlovers]

19 hours ago, retarius said:

I got tired of boozy friends and don't imbibe any more or socialise, all the talk of football and sports bores me to tears.

That's interesting. I never had any boozy friends and we never talked about sports. Of course some of them  drank alcohol, but only in moderation.

Never had anything like the American style get together in a basement to watch sport on tv and get pissed.

[spidermike007]

19 hours ago, Hummin said:

Safety and happiness if you have enough

Never. Security, yes. Happiness? Absolutely not. Happiness comes from within. This world has far more poor people who are far closer to happiness than rich ones. Just take a look around. The richest countries have some of the least happy people. 

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Never. Security, yes. Happiness? Absolutely not. Happiness comes from within. This world has far more poor people who are far closer to happiness than rich ones. Just take a look around. The richest countries have some of the least happy people. 

I didn't say rich, but have enough to have choices and freedom. Being stuck in Thailand gives expats happiness? 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

I didn't say rich, but have enough to have choices and freedom. Being stuck in Thailand gives expats happiness? 

I do agree that money does give people choices, it helps people to deal with problems and challenges, and it improves the overall quality of life, there's no doubt about that. I have no issues with money or wealth, or people that have great wealth, as long as they use it to do some good in the world. 

 

My only objection was that I don't think that it brings happiness, on any level. 

 

As far as being stuck in Thailand, some of us love being here, and many of us are thrilled about being here. I love my life here on a daily basis. Granted if I were wealthy I'd be doing more traveling and I would probably only be in Thailand 4 to 6 months of the year, but I would still be spending quite a bit of time here. 

Edited August 12 by spidermike007

[Hummin]

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I do agree that money does give people choices, it helps people to deal with problems and challenges, and it improves the overall quality of life, there's no doubt about that. I have no issues with money or wealth, or people that have great wealth, as long as they use it to do some good in the world. 

 

My only objection was that I don't think that it brings happiness, on any level. 

 

As far as being stuck in Thailand, some of us love being here, and many of us are thrilled about being here. I love my life here on a daily basis. Granted if I were wealthy I'd be doing more traveling and I would probably only be in Thailand 4 to 6 months of the year, but I would still be spending quite a bit of time here. 

I made that example because it us related to the forum, where many of the expats lives on a minimum, have few or no choices, no insurance, and often combined with bad health. I have also met some few around in Thailand who barely manage day to day living.

 

However you are right, you can't buy happiness, but it helps to live healthy, and have some security to ease off some worries. 

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Just look at King Baby Trump...SO rich he claims yet his day exost of moaning and crying 24/7/365.....

as a person such as myself that lives at poverty level this amuses me.....greed and money corrupts....

 

ask those that won the lottery....or the rich that claim 1st world problems and live in gated communities aka self made prisons

Very true, Trump is a great example, he wakes up every morning with a sour taste of bile in his mouth, and an absolute state of misery, and he feels the need to project that onto everyone and anyone that he encounters, everywhere he goes.

 

He is one of the most bitter and hateful men I've ever encountered in my lifetime. And it's a fascinating thing to witness because they say that heaven and hell is not elsewhere, but it's right here, right now within our own minds. So I can only imagine the hell that that man is experiencing 24/7. Despite his wealth. 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

I made that example because it us related to the forum, where many of the expats lives on a minimum, have few or no choices, no insurance, and often combined with bad health. I have also met some few around in Thailand who barely manage day to day living.

 

However you are right, you can't buy happiness, but it helps to live healthy, and have some security to ease off some worries. 

I do agree with that, and yes I've run into a number of guys who are living on an extreme budget, and my heart goes out to them because there are a few things in life that I enjoy less, then counting my pennies. 

[georgegeorgia]

2 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Just look at King Baby Trump...SO rich he claims yet his day exost of moaning and crying 24/7/365.....

as a person such as myself that lives at poverty level this amuses me.....greed and money corrupts....

 

ask those that won the lottery....or the rich that claim 1st world problems and live in gated communities aka self made prisons

I love you , baby 

[Surasak]

Never take life too seriously. No one gets out alive anyway.

[jwest10]

23 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Try living without it.

Yes tongue in cheek but most of us are not that wealthy!!!

 

[newbee2022]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:36 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

Note:  Some day, I will find my perfect washing machine, just as Hemingway never found his perfect paragraph, before it’s too late.  And, then…who knows….

That will make my day...🤗 

I never thought there would be a connection between Hemingway and your washing machine .

You nailed it 😂

[georgegeorgia]

3 hours ago, Surasak said:

Never take life too seriously. No one gets out alive anyway.

Very true 

We all hope to get to 80-85 before we go 

Some of us go earlier ,some go later but most of us go in between that number .

 

[BobBKK]

22 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Just look at King Baby Trump...SO rich he claims yet his day exost of moaning and crying 24/7/365.....

as a person such as myself that lives at poverty level this amuses me.....greed and money corrupts....

 

ask those that won the lottery....or the rich that claim 1st world problems and live in gated communities aka self made prisons

 

Pathetic bringing in politics to a health thread

[scorecard]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:36 PM, GammaGlobulin said:

Dear Folks,

 

 a.  At your age, do you still take life seriously?  

Really?

Give me a break!

 

Or…Do you really?

 

b.  In this day and age, do we really still take the Nobel seriously?

Really?

Give me a break!

 

c.  Maybe Dylan actually did deserve the Nobel, as watered down as it seems to have become, in these modern times.

 

He wrote this, for example:

 

d.  So, do you still take life seriously, now that most of your life is already behind you, and now that all that you see ahead is what it is?

 

If you were to try to tell someone, less than half your age, why they should take life seriously, then could you?

 

e.  AND, are you a phony like Zimmerman? Or, are you now able to see through him, as no Nobel Committee ever did?

 

Strange, is it not, how time passes….?

 

So the question is, in this twilight of your years, is there really anything that you take seriously, besides Catch-22?

 

 

 

Catch-22 always catches up with one, around this time in life…don’t you think?

 

No.

We don’t take life seriously,

And why should we now?

 

At least, most of us do not, but do you?

 

Best regards,

And wishing you great “Remains of the Day”….

 

Gamma

 

Note:  Some day, I will find my perfect washing machine, just as Hemingway never found his perfect paragraph, before it’s too late.  And, then…who knows….

 

Note2:  And…What about you?

 

And, just by the way:

 

Note 66:  Do you intend to continue flying missions?

 

 

 

Final Note:  Obviously, when we die, the question always begs and niggles us.... Will We go FURTHUR?

 

 

 

 

Or, will our bus, inevitably reach.... The End Of The Road....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm 80 years old coming soon.

 

Yes I do take life seriously, I live with my wonderful Thai son and his Thai wife and 4 kids.

 

I have been devoted to my son all of his life and he reciprocates.

 

My son is totally aligned to the best education and behavioral teachings for his 4 kids.

 

I work with him on all of the above and it gives me great satisfaction.