Are the machines destroying Thai culture?

[thaibeachlovers]

How can you claim that this is specific to Thailand?? This is a global development and an attribute of modern society..Take off your tinted imperialistic sunglasses!!

In case you hadn't noticed, this is a THAI forum. I had to make it relevant to Thailand or it would have been locked. Perhaps you've been looking at a machine too long and have lost your ability to understand that .

[thaibeachlovers]

Isn't this thread all a bit ironic being posted on a web form?

Not at all. I go to the IT cafe to get out of the house, not because I need to have a machine in my face. If I was machine dependent I'd have the internet in the house.

If it was Pattaya I'd go down to the beach and watch the world passing by. Unfortunately, there is no where to do the equivalent where I live currently, so it's the IT cafe or stay in and watch tv. Posting on here is mainly for entertainment value, and TV is really entertaining.

[thaibeachlovers]

Times change - deal with it old folks.

Just because times change it does not follow that that change is good or necessary.

[thaibeachlovers]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

Oh yes, the average 8 year old has probably seen more porn than I saw in my first 40 years. Good going .

It's interesting that a question about whether machines are destroying Thai culture or not has brought vitriolic diatribes against older people. Obviously the machine culture hasn't improved comprehension or manners.

[thaibeachlovers]

The robot apocalypse is upon us.

Yes it is. Some idiot on tv was rabbiting on about how wonderful the computerised house will be because we won't have to lift a finger to switch on the lights. Sounds like obesity is going to be killing most of us in the future.

We can't fix a car now because they are all computerised, and in the future we won't be able to fix anything in our houses. Not a life I want any part of.

For a glimpse of the future, look no further than that animated movie about a robot culture where humans are all too obese to walk and robots do everything for them.

[shadmo63]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

Oh yes, the average 8 year old has probably seen more porn than I saw in my first 40 years. Good going .

It's interesting that a question about whether machines are destroying Thai culture or not has brought vitriolic diatribes against older people. Obviously the machine culture hasn't improved comprehension or manners.

Don't take it personally old man.

Ah, Ive never seen any 8 year olds either interested or searching for porn. Contrary to popular belief the total porn on the internet is a very small percentage.

Being an old codger is only partly a function of age; mostly it's an attitude. I've met plenty of 25 year old codgers. The internet is not some OTHER world, it's merely a reflection of THIS world. Comments like '99.9% of the internet is BS' show you have an ignorant codgers attitude.

There was a time when only priests and other learned men could read and had access to information. Then came the printing press and universal education. Now each and every one of us have instant access to 99.9% of humanities combined knowledge, and the ability to communicate with most of existing humanity. What a wonderful age to live in, we are so lucky. I do feel sorry for you having to live with all the BS and those dastardly 'machines', but mostly I feel sorry for you for having a codgers attitude. I'm 51 myself, but I'm not a codger.

No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.

― Ernest Hemingway

[thaibeachlovers]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

Oh yes, the average 8 year old has probably seen more porn than I saw in my first 40 years. Good going .

It's interesting that a question about whether machines are destroying Thai culture or not has brought vitriolic diatribes against older people. Obviously the machine culture hasn't improved comprehension or manners.

Don't take it personally old man.

Ah, Ive never seen any 8 year olds either interested or searching for porn. Contrary to popular belief the total porn on the internet is a very small percentage.

Being an old codger is only partly a function of age; mostly it's an attitude. I've met plenty of 25 year old codgers. The internet is not some OTHER world, it's merely a reflection of THIS world. Comments like '99.9% of the internet is BS' show you have an ignorant codgers attitude.

There was a time when only priests and other learned men could read and had access to information. Then came the printing press and universal education. Now each and every one of us have instant access to 99.9% of humanities combined knowledge, and the ability to communicate with most of existing humanity. What a wonderful age to live in, we are so lucky. I do feel sorry for you having to live with all the BS and those dastardly 'machines', but mostly I feel sorry for you for having a codgers attitude. I'm 51 myself, but I'm not a codger.

No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.

― Ernest Hemingway

<Contrary to popular belief the total porn on the internet is a very small percentage.>

Perhaps so, but probably the most viewed, LOL.

If going to another country and spending your time with your face in a machine instead of looking at the country, as I've seen young backpackers in Thailand do is 'hip", then I'm happy to be an old codger. At least when I go somewhere, I look at the scenery and walk around a lot investigating the local life. I certainly don't take a phone so I can phone home every 5 minutes ( I don't even have one of those so called smart phones, as it would be a waste of money as I rarely call anyone and I would hate using the internet on such a tiny screen ).

[SoiBiker]

So backpacking was better when they had their face buried in a lonely planet or tatty copy of 'the beach'?

This is hilarious.

[Aceicol]

<Contrary to popular belief the total porn on the internet is a very small percentage.>

Perhaps so, but probably the most viewed, LOL.

If going to another country and spending your time with your face in a machine instead of looking at the country, as I've seen young backpackers in Thailand do is 'hip", then I'm happy to be an old codger. At least when I go somewhere, I look at the scenery and walk around a lot investigating the local life. I certainly don't take a phone so I can phone home every 5 minutes ( I don't even have one of those so called smart phones, as it would be a waste of money as I rarely call anyone and I would hate using the internet on such a tiny screen ).

These youngsters aren't phoning home or even in most cases playing on the Internet. In my experience it's about contact, keeping in contact with friends/family via, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.

They get to experience what you do/did, whilst also keeping in touch with their nearest and dearest, what more could you ask for? It's a win win for them.

Edited September 6, 2014 by Aceicol

[mauGR1]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

... "More " and " Faster " is not necessarily better.

Everything has a price, if you can't see the price humans are paying for technology, better wake up and smell the coffee.

[GordonP]

One of the points I am trying to make, is that, the grandmothers and to a lesser extent grandfathers are incapable of supervising the youngsters access to all of this. In the past year, in one small village of about a hundred population, one 16 year old girl ran away to meet a young policeman she had "met" online, who immediately pimped her into a Thai karaoke bar, stole her phone and borrowed money against her future "earnings" and hasn't been heard of since. Fortunately, she was able to get a message to her family, who have had to borrow to repay the "loan" and effectively rescue her. Another younger girl has eloped with a 16 year old boy she met on line. All of this IMHO because the phone usage isn't being monitored.

[GordonP]

Correction to post #71 end of second line should read one 16 year old girl ran away to meet a young man purporting to be a policeman

[shadmo63]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

... "More " and " Faster " is not necessarily better.

Everything has a price, if you can't see the price humans are paying for technology, better wake up and smell the coffee.

Ah, this forum is so full of Luddites. mauGR1 if you can't see the benefits to humanity from technology....I dunno! Usually "more" and "faster" do mean better, I cannot think of too many examples where they don't. Sex and holidays maybe, but thats only for the faster side of things, eh?

But what on earth are you getting at? Sure there is nothing more annoying than someone sitting on their mobile or laptop when they are supposed to be socialising with you and your group. Is that what you're talking about? The rudeness and lack of social skills? Or is the world going to hell and all humanity is doomed because of all this evil pervasive technology? Should we all be outside playing with two sticks instead of playing shootemups on the computer? Is that it, the desensitising of young men to violence? Mind you they're sure good at flying those drones these days, where did those skills come from? Or is it the obesity epidemic you are on about? You can now get apps on your smartphone to help with exercise and weight loss, and probably even social skills too. Hey there's an idea. Or maybe its cyber-bullying that bothers you, those teenagers can be nasty cant they? Personally mauGR1, I worry more about religion and aggressive foreign policies and wars and human rights and gun laws and whatever people on TV are groaning about today, things like that. My iPad and the internet sure are handy for keeping up with those things.

I just dunno what you are on about mauGR1, but i am certainly trying to wake up and smell the coffee!! Maybe you can help me out here?

[mauGR1]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

... "More " and " Faster " is not necessarily better.

Everything has a price, if you can't see the price humans are paying for technology, better wake up and smell the coffee.

Ah, this forum is so full of Luddites. mauGR1 if you can't see the benefits to humanity from technology....I dunno! Usually "more" and "faster" do mean better, I cannot think of too many examples where they don't. Sex and holidays maybe, but thats only for the faster side of things, eh?

But what on earth are you getting at? Sure there is nothing more annoying than someone sitting on their mobile or laptop when they are supposed to be socialising with you and your group. Is that what you're talking about? The rudeness and lack of social skills? Or is the world going to hell and all humanity is doomed because of all this evil pervasive technology? Should we all be outside playing with two sticks instead of playing shootemups on the computer? Is that it, the desensitising of young men to violence? Mind you they're sure good at flying those drones these days, where did those skills come from? Or is it the obesity epidemic you are on about? You can now get apps on your smartphone to help with exercise and weight loss, and probably even social skills too. Hey there's an idea. Or maybe its cyber-bullying that bothers you, those teenagers can be nasty cant they? Personally mauGR1, I worry more about religion and aggressive foreign policies and wars and human rights and gun laws and whatever people on TV are groaning about today, things like that. My iPad and the internet sure are handy for keeping up with those things.

I just dunno what you are on about mauGR1, but i am certainly trying to wake up and smell the coffee!! Maybe you can help me out here?

Haha.. I have to say you summed up nicely all the pros and cons of internet era..

Nothing against people getting obese and dull playing with i-phones all day.. As long as it's not me.

As we are into coffee, i would suggest Italian ' lavazza red ' ... cheap and best

Edited September 6, 2014 by mauGR1

[sirineou]

I thin the mistake is, that the OP considers culture as a static entity, It clearly is not, culture is always changing, and with in change resides opportunity and danger.

Are the changes good or bad? well I guess that depends on your perspective. Good or bad being subjective terms.

Is a longer lifespan better or worst? is a healthier life more desirable? Is an enhanced ability to communicate and be able to have conversations such as the one we are having now with people from all over the world better? How about the ability to access information, More information provides for better decision making. Is better decision making Good?

Give the name of an item, any item, I can Google it, then chose images and see a picture of it, Can you imagine when the technology exists (not far from now) for your brain to directly access Google? Instant access to all the information in the world at command.

This is a very exciting time we live in, and I am glad to be in it. Perhaps the next step in human evolution

HomoTecnos

[thaibeachlovers]

I thin the mistake is, that the OP considers culture as a static entity, It clearly is not, culture is always changing, and with in change resides opportunity and danger.

Are the changes good or bad? well I guess that depends on your perspective. Good or bad being subjective terms.

Is a longer lifespan better or worst? is a healthier life more desirable? Is an enhanced ability to communicate and be able to have conversations such as the one we are having now with people from all over the world better? How about the ability to access information, More information provides for better decision making. Is better decision making Good?

Give the name of an item, any item, I can Google it, then chose images and see a picture of it, Can you imagine when the technology exists (not far from now) for your brain to directly access Google? Instant access to all the information in the world at command.

This is a very exciting time we live in, and I am glad to be in it. Perhaps the next step in human evolution

HomoTecnos

<for your brain to directly access Google>

I'd kill myself before I let that happen. If your brain can access a computer, the computer can access your brain- Hitler or Stalin would have loved that power.

AND, just imagine if google was taken over by the government- propaganda beamed directly into people's brains . I can think of about 100 reasons why that is such a BAD idea- brave new world.

Edited September 7, 2014 by thaibeachlovers

[thaibeachlovers]

So backpacking was better when they had their face buried in a lonely planet or tatty copy of 'the beach'?

This is hilarious.

<So backpacking was better when they had their face buried in a ,,,,,,,,,,tatty copy of 'the beach'?>

LOL. What most of the party party bagpackers don't realise is that Richard ( ? Garland ) actually despised their sort.

I'll never forgive Boyle for bending over and letting Leo destroy the whole point of the book in his pants film.

[sirineou]

I thin the mistake is, that the OP considers culture as a static entity, It clearly is not, culture is always changing, and with in change resides opportunity and danger.

Are the changes good or bad? well I guess that depends on your perspective. Good or bad being subjective terms.

Is a longer lifespan better or worst? is a healthier life more desirable? Is an enhanced ability to communicate and be able to have conversations such as the one we are having now with people from all over the world better? How about the ability to access information, More information provides for better decision making. Is better decision making Good?

Give the name of an item, any item, I can Google it, then chose images and see a picture of it, Can you imagine when the technology exists (not far from now) for your brain to directly access Google? Instant access to all the information in the world at command.

This is a very exciting time we live in, and I am glad to be in it. Perhaps the next step in human evolution

HomoTecnos

<for your brain to directly access Google>

I'd kill myself before I let that happen. If your brain can access a computer, the computer can access your brain- Hitler or Stalin would have loved that power.

AND, just imagine if google was taken over by the government- propaganda beamed directly into people's brains . I can think of about 100 reasons why that is such a BAD idea- brave new world.

yes but think of it!! Instant Porno

[wilcopops]

Culture is not a fixed thing in any country....it change from day to day.....

[3NUMBAS]

theyre all spectators and not actual participants any more with these devices ,from my observations .

[thaibeachlovers]

I thin the mistake is, that the OP considers culture as a static entity, It clearly is not, culture is always changing, and with in change resides opportunity and danger.

Are the changes good or bad? well I guess that depends on your perspective. Good or bad being subjective terms.

Is a longer lifespan better or worst? is a healthier life more desirable? Is an enhanced ability to communicate and be able to have conversations such as the one we are having now with people from all over the world better? How about the ability to access information, More information provides for better decision making. Is better decision making Good?

Give the name of an item, any item, I can Google it, then chose images and see a picture of it, Can you imagine when the technology exists (not far from now) for your brain to directly access Google? Instant access to all the information in the world at command.

This is a very exciting time we live in, and I am glad to be in it. Perhaps the next step in human evolution

HomoTecnos

<for your brain to directly access Google>

I'd kill myself before I let that happen. If your brain can access a computer, the computer can access your brain- Hitler or Stalin would have loved that power.

AND, just imagine if google was taken over by the government- propaganda beamed directly into people's brains . I can think of about 100 reasons why that is such a BAD idea- brave new world.

yes but think of it!! Instant Porno

I hadn't thought of that. Just imagine it and you'll be having the time of your life with whatever celebrity you fancy.

Perhaps I won't kill myself after all .

Finally, there is something good about that "connected" world to look forward to .

[thaibeachlovers]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

I just saw the person next to me looking at a VDO posted on the internet in which a Thai woman was kicking the **** out of a young Thai girl. It went. on for several minutes. Frankly, if that's the sort of thing that the internet is being used for by youths, it isn't a good thing at all, in fact it's a terrible, horrible thing.

I'm sure a lot use it to see people getting their heads chopped off and suchlike- it's just sick!!!!!!!

[thaibeachlovers]

and now he's looking at dogfights. Sick sick sick.

How could anyone justify garbage like that???????????

[wilcopops]

Not a real question.

No definition of culture is EVER satisfactory - so that word should be chucked.

As for seeing the use of mobile devices as a Thai-only thing is just so myopic as to be risible.

and with the relative free flow of information in a country that spends a lot of time and effort trying to censor ALL media, it probably has a BENEFICIAL effect on Thailand as a country.

Edited September 9, 2014 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

I just saw the person next to me looking at a VDO posted on the internet in which a Thai woman was kicking the **** out of a young Thai girl. It went. on for several minutes. Frankly, if that's the sort of thing that the internet is being used for by youths, it isn't a good thing at all, in fact it's a terrible, horrible thing.

I'm sure a lot use it to see people getting their heads chopped off and suchlike- it's just sick!!!!!!!

Really! It's not what you see, it's how you interpret it....and judging by your post you are yourself sadly ill-equipped to handle the internet. just because it confuses you, it doesn't follow that others aren't better equipped than you to use it.

[sdanielmcev]

Back when I was a kid, we had a stick and rock for playthings. It really isn't about the technology, more about attitudes to what some deem important. No one gets out of here alive.

[pgrahmm]

Back when I was a kid, we had a stick and rock for playthings. It really isn't about the technology, more about attitudes to what some deem important. No one gets out of here alive.

Did they have fire yet???

[thaibeachlovers]

I thin the mistake is, that the OP considers culture as a static entity, It clearly is not, culture is always changing, and with in change resides opportunity and danger.

Are the changes good or bad? well I guess that depends on your perspective. Good or bad being subjective terms.

Is a longer lifespan better or worst? is a healthier life more desirable? Is an enhanced ability to communicate and be able to have conversations such as the one we are having now with people from all over the world better? How about the ability to access information, More information provides for better decision making. Is better decision making Good?

Give the name of an item, any item, I can Google it, then chose images and see a picture of it, Can you imagine when the technology exists (not far from now) for your brain to directly access Google? Instant access to all the information in the world at command.

This is a very exciting time we live in, and I am glad to be in it. Perhaps the next step in human evolution

HomoTecnos

I certainly don't consider "culture" to be static. If it was we'd still be living in caves and lighting fire with a stick.

Perhaps I should have titled the thread, "is the addiction to machines a good thing for Thai children?"

[thaibeachlovers]

Did it ever occur to you old codgers that the people using their 'machines' are actually communicating 100 times faster and a 100 times more than when you was a lad. Some of you old codgers on here really need to move with the times. The average 8 year old has absorbed and processed more information than their grandparents did in their entire life. If you want to stay in the dark ages with your <deleted> boring anecdotes and 'real' communication - be my guest!!

I just saw the person next to me looking at a VDO posted on the internet in which a Thai woman was kicking the **** out of a young Thai girl. It went. on for several minutes. Frankly, if that's the sort of thing that the internet is being used for by youths, it isn't a good thing at all, in fact it's a terrible, horrible thing.

I'm sure a lot use it to see people getting their heads chopped off and suchlike- it's just sick!!!!!!!

Really! It's not what you see, it's how you interpret it....and judging by your post you are yourself sadly ill-equipped to handle the internet. just because it confuses you, it doesn't follow that others aren't better equipped than you to use it.

So you think seeing a young girl getting kicked is only a matter of "interpretation" I scorn you.

[3NUMBAS]

the technology is very usefull to be sure if kept under control ,but where a person is a stupid and cant control it then it will encourage them to be ever more lazy and dumb