12 hours ago, IsmeUno said:

Do you think the USA is doing this for Iran's people? I'm literally dumbfounded that you have convinced yourself of this.

Seriously doubt he thinks this is for the people of Iran. It may possibly help them but doubt it. Our record in the middle east is not good. Trump is doing it 100% for the USA and why he has concluded it is beneficial is beyond me. It might simply be his bully persona convinced him that Iran would crumble . Still might but what then?

23 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Time and time again on this forum I see members post threads they moved to South East Asia because their own Country became "woke" . .. and yes I said South East Asia instead of just Thailand, because this forum is about all Asia just not Thailand..

Show us your statistical data.

16 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Seriously doubt he thinks this is for the people of Iran. It may possibly help them but doubt it. Our record in the middle east is not good. Trump is doing it 100% for the USA and why he has concluded it is beneficial is beyond me. It might simply be his bully persona convinced him that Iran would crumble . Still might but what then?

I do think it's for the Iranian people, along with many other things including oil and trade, but Trump, being the type of man he is, is always looking for admiration , and if that comes from helping others so be it, as it's a good way to receive it, along with feeding his ego. Fear of nuclear is on many minds, and he knows you can't trust Iran's regime, as it's history has proven violence. Uranium can be used for energy, but was that Khomeini's thinking? Ballistic missiles also, knowing they can reach other countries rather easily.

What some believe doesn't mean it's true, as there are a lot of Trump and US haters because of his other policies. Many armchair quarterbacks think they know all the answers and even Americans don't know everything that goes on behind the government's doors. Many theories and opinions, but in the long run, if Iran's people benefit from this with democracy, at least one objective was made. Others involve greed, which all wars have. Iranians supplied much of the intel here, so that means it was for the people, along with rewards.

1 hour ago, atpeace said:

Quite possible. Enlighten me.

I describe woke as a movement to push progressive ideas aggressively on those that don't share those ideals. Thailand doesn't have a movement that pushes progressive ideas on people, hence they aren't woke. Simplistic but the logic works for me :)

That's nothing to do with being 'woke'. The term has just been co-opted by racists and sheep who cannot discuss each subject on it's merit or otherwise.

Do I agree with people being forced to use pronouns? No. Does that make me 'anti-woke'?

The term has been co-opted by right wing racists. Now you know that if you use it, you appear as part of that movement. I believe that you are an intelligent and thoughtful person. Find another way to describe your likes and dislikes. It's a dog whistle.

5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Many armchair quarterbacks think they know all the answers

Are you any different?

Just now, IsmeUno said:

Are you any different?

Just now, IsmeUno said:

Of course, as I'm not assuming but looking at all possibilities, and those come from a lot of theories. No one is certain but many follow other's opinions, which means nothing. The obvious reasons are to help Iran's people, which makes anyone look good, especially a narcissist that wants that admiration, Trump always acting this way. A billionaire doesn't need more money. He wanted to be God, so he ran for president, along with being pro-America. Also trying to keep nuclear weapon production from happening in a terrorist regime, which most anyone worldwide fears. Missiles that can reach others , especially neighbors, has them wanting it stopped. Guesses without evidence are just that.

7 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Are you any different?

We're all of us individuals.

Except for that bloke at the back

3 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

That's nothing to do with being 'woke'. The term has just been co-opted by racists and sheep who cannot discuss each subject on it's merit or otherwise.

Do I agree with people being forced to use pronouns? No. Does that make me 'anti-woke'?

The term has been co-opted by right wing racists. Now you know that if you use it, you appear as part of that movement. I believe that you are an intelligent and thoughtful person. Find another way to describe your likes and dislikes. It's a dog whistle.

OK, from your perspective that makes sense. I can accept your definition to a term that isn't eternally set. It is a term that is heavily context dependent and far from static. I saw the woke movement much differently than you and "many" of the people that claimed to be woke I found to be abusive and restrictive.

I think we may agree that the woke movement was delusional at times and did not mirror how woke would have been defined 50 years ago. I agree that racist use the term as a weapon but it doesn't alter what the woke movement evolved into at its peak a few years back.

Regardless, the movement has subsided and maybe the word "woke" will become a more broadly respected label in the future. Things change...

The anti Woke people don’t like are things like blokes transitioning to female then using their male strength to win at sports etc. Most people are live and let live but things like that are just stupid. It’s also like on TV programs now have a larger than reality number of same sex relationships and mixed culture relationships. It’s trying to make the minority more normal. A good example of Woke on TV if you watch is, Mid Summer Murders. The murderer is no longer allowed to be black because they worry about stereotyping.

Wokeism is a state of mind which which encourages both the taking of offence, extreme sensitivity, and the victim culture.

18 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

One can always hope. The Persian people sure deserve a better life.

I am skeptical if it can be forced upon them, but we shall see.

Keep up the good posts. You are a tribute to this forum.

The persians made the bed they currently lay in. They chose it

23 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

"Woke" originated in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), evolving from the 1930s or earlier to mean being aware of racial prejudice, discrimination, and social injustice. Originally, "stay woke" was used to alert Black Americans to racist threats, with early usage found in 1938 blues music and later in the 2010s Black Lives Matter movement.

It's devolved to an insult cast by anyone who can't make an actual cogent argument at anyone who says something they don't agree with.

Thought using AI answers and not saying its AI was against the rules ?
Cause thats the exact answer AI gives.
Notice you left off the very last sentence, wonder why you'd do that ?

Here you go,

"Woke" originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as early as the 1930s-1940s—with roots in the 1920s—as "stay woke," acting as an in-group warning to remain vigilant against racial prejudice, systemic injustice, and white supremacist violence. It meant being "awake" or enlightened regarding social injustices.

On 3/27/2026 at 9:40 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Time and time again on this forum I see members post threads they moved to South East Asia because their own Country became "woke" . .. and yes I said South East Asia instead of just Thailand, because this forum is about all Asia just not Thailand..

But having mentioned that let's get back to the topic , so they say they moved to South .East Asia because my own country become "woke " ( actually they write Thailand they didnt write SEA but we have already mentioned that so let's get back to my post please !

So I can never understand what they mean , because now many countries in South East Asia are *woke " , one only has to look at Philippines for vlogging which they outlawed recently, but anyway for those who say they moved to Thailand because their own country became "woke ".....please explain

It is not about woke, it is because they are broke.

1. swedish government went woke when they think its too warm in sweden so we have to pay carbon tax.

2. swedish TV went woke when they let drag queens into various programs

3. swedish government went woke when they encourage immigrants to come here at the expense of swedish tax payers, and send swedish tax money abroad in aid

According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of "woke" is:

...chiefly US slang : aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)

I agree with that definition.

2 hours ago, Slowhand225 said:

Thought using AI answers and not saying its AI was against the rules ?
Cause thats the exact answer AI gives.
Notice you left off the very last sentence, wonder why you'd do that ?

Here you go,

"Woke" originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as early as the 1930s-1940s—with roots in the 1920s—as "stay woke," acting as an in-group warning to remain vigilant against racial prejudice, systemic injustice, and white supremacist violence. It meant being "awake" or enlightened regarding social injustices.

Wow - you got me. I left out that last line to throw off Soviet spies.

Actually I didn't think it made a spittin' bit of difference, rather it seemed redundant.

Thanks for nothing.

33 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of "woke" is:

...chiefly US slang : aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)

I agree with that definition.

Not a bad definition and agree that it is chiefly slang as it it used today. Need to change "societal facts" to something else. It was based mostly on perspectives and trends. Facts were in many cases ignored.

On 3/27/2026 at 9:54 AM, georgegeorgia said:

Disgusting and please don't make assumptions.

You are only into fat ladyboys right?

Are you the one saying don't make assumptions?lol.

On 3/27/2026 at 9:51 AM, Prubangboy said:

It means that Thailand is a place where you can finally have sex with a thin woman.

As you yourself have.

More likely a skinny man in his case

35 minutes ago, Grumpy one said:

More likely a skinny man in his case

Any port in a storm.

On 3/27/2026 at 3:03 AM, spidermike007 said:

We don't have to concern ourselves with what most activists are doing. Most "activists" these days are merely netizens. Getting up off your bum and actually doing something is far different than moaning, groaning and criticizing on social media. For me, that amounts to next to zero, in terms of courage. Being outraged is simply participating in victim culture, and weak PC nonsense, which is degrading society and preformed mostly by weaklings.

Everything sparks debate these days, everything seems to offend the snowflakes, everything seems to cause "netizen outrage".

Who cares, it means nothing, it is less than zero. Outrage is simply a manifestation of weak victim culture.

I don't like anybody dictating to me how I should speak, nor how I should behave. I don't do PC, never have, and never will. You don't like the way I refer to you, that's your issue not mine. You want to be a victim that's on you.

Being a real activist, who makes an honest effort to support a valid cause, is a whole different level of courage and conviction.

Personally, I despise PC. And social justice authoritarianism. I think it represents alot of what is wrong with contemporary culture, and especially America today. It is a major form of weakness, when you allow yourself to be easily offended, and take everything personally. Granted, there are things that can be perceived as offensive, but allowing yourself to be offended by tiny little things people say and do is a bit much! But, the people who are offended daily, by things others say, are just weak, and would benefit by growing thicker skin. Life can be rough and caustic at times, and for those of us who have grown thick skin, it is like water off a ducks back. No big deal, at all. Think what you want to think. It just does not mean anything to those with self esteem, and a sense of who and what they are. Granted, these are just my opinions, and some will take offense to them. LOL. 

The US and the UK are by far the most tolerant countries in the world when it comes to the whole trans, non-binary, amorosexual, decide whatever you want today, if it fits mentality. No other country is as loose, driftless, and as silly as the US.

i often disagree with your views Mr Mike but you are spot on.

Woke originally indicated empathy for others and a desire for a fairer society. As always happens with “best intentions” this was hijacked and pushed further to the left and frequently into absurd situations. With every action there’s a reaction and the right then exploited this shift to further their aims and woke became a punchbag for extremists. So now far right followers such as MAGA label anything not aligning with their beliefs as leftist, communist and woke!

On 3/27/2026 at 12:15 PM, HappyExpat57 said:

"Woke" originated in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE),

Usually the acronym eg AAVE, is put first, and then the explanation.

I just get so fed up with FLAs. (and TLAs)

Woke In simple terms:can mean

To supporters: “woke” = aware and socially conscious

To critics: “woke” = over-the-top or ideological

hope everyone's OK

On 3/26/2026 at 11:26 PM, Prubangboy said:

Conservatives are more likely to have seen a rhinoceros in the wild than a hairy armpitted feminist.

Ha!, I used to live in Humboldt County, CA. There are plenty of hairy legged and armiptted women up there.

A post has been removed, please remember we don't do Nazi stuff here

On 3/27/2026 at 5:15 AM, HappyExpat57 said:

"Woke" originated in African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), evolving from the 1930s or earlier to mean being aware of racial prejudice, discrimination, and social injustice. Originally, "stay woke" was used to alert Black Americans to racist threats, with early usage found in 1938 blues music and later in the 2010s Black Lives Matter movement.

It's devolved to an insult cast by anyone who can't make an actual cogent argument at anyone who says something they don't agree with.

I couldn't have explained it better myself. Woke is indeed the African-American convolution of having already been awakened and the invocation to 'stay awake'.

The intellectually challenged, morally stunted and hopelessly inarticulate conservative, god-fearing and bigoted white folks have hijacked it, failing to see the wretched irony of bandying the black man's vocabulary about.

The latest, growing refinement is to accuse each and every person with a hint of a differing opinion as being either an unpatriotic, lefty, hive-minded, godless, anti-Semitic, transgender and immigrant-loving, Islamist terrorist fan who hates all Americans, or a Democrat.

That 'bout right @Yagoda ?

21 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I couldn't have explained it better myself. Woke is indeed the African-American convolution of having already been awakened and the invocation to 'stay awake'.

The intellectually challenged, morally stunted and hopelessly inarticulate conservative, god-fearing and bigoted white folks have hijacked it, failing to see the wretched irony of bandying the black man's vocabulary about.

The latest, growing refinement is to accuse each and every person with a hint of a differing opinion as being either an unpatriotic, lefty, hive-minded, godless, anti-Semitic, transgender and immigrant-loving, Islamist terrorist fan who hates all Americans, or a Democrat.

That 'bout right @Yagoda ?

No, not really. There are normal MAGA voting Americans and folks overseas who share our policy and visions and those who seek to destroy what we have. Easy for me, you carry on spinning though.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

No, not really. There are normal MAGA voting Americans and folks overseas who share our policy and visions and those who seek to destroy what we have. Easy for me, you carry on spinning though.

Got it. Clinging to a failed vision of global supremacy and American exceptionalism due to lack of clarity from the nation's elected leadership.

WSpinning