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5
Community Australian Tourist Found Dead After Massage on Koh Samui
Apparently rubbed out. -
57
Crossing the Rubicon: Has Gemini made this forum obsolescent?
Case in point: Let's have a detailed discussion here of Syntactic Structures, why not? Yes, you are correct, but this is not the purpose of the forum. And, speaking of the STATE OF THE MACHINE...haha...... https://www.ling.upenn.edu/courses/ling5700/Chomsky1957.pdf So then, if you wish my opinion.....I would say that ThaiVisa is still relevant and useful for those who need up-to-date info about what is happening, and for those that might need help here in Thailand, which is what this forum was originally designed to provide. You might not be able to get such info from Gemini. And, Gemini never gives you the human hand, the kind hand outstretched, like ThaiVisa does..... BUT, if you want to discuss something like why Chomsky no longer agrees, or has revised, his thoughts about Syntactic Structures, then ...Gemini all the way. Gemini is getting ever-more amazing by the minute as it is refined and becomes more powerful. I am not sure why so many are afraid of the Big G. I love it, and I am spending lots of time with it. I think I might need to pay even more for it, in fact. Here is just one example: But, what does this really mean, these days, after over 67 years???? Well then, just ask Gemini...... The reply is: " That image is a time capsule from a revolution. You've screenshotted rule (34) from Noam Chomsky's 1957 book, Syntactic Structures, and it's a perfect example of his early, groundbreaking work. Let's break down what it means, both then and now. First, a Simple Translation of the Rule In plain English, this rule is the "Passive Transformation." It's a formal, almost mathematical recipe for turning an active sentence into a passive one. Let's use a simple example: The cat will chase the mouse. Analyze the active sentence: NP1 (Noun Phrase 1): "The cat" Aux (Auxiliary Verb): "will" V (Verb): "chase" NP2 (Noun Phrase 2): "the mouse" Apply the transformation rule: Rearrange the parts according to the formula NP₂ – Aux + be + en – V – by + NP₁ Start with NP2: "The mouse" Add Aux: "will" Add be: "be" Add en - V (the past participle of the verb): "chased" Add by: "by" End with NP1: "the cat" Resulting passive sentence: "The mouse will be chased by the cat." The rule states that if the first sentence is grammatical, the sentence produced by this transformation will also always be grammatical. What It Meant Then (67 Years Ago): A Revolution In 1957, this was a radical concept. Linguistics was mostly about describing and categorizing existing sentences. Chomsky proposed that a grammar should be generative—a finite set of rules capable of producing an infinite number of sentences. Rule (34) was a prime example of this: It was formal and explicit: It was like a computer algorithm for language, making linguistics feel more like a rigorous science. It introduced "Transformations": It was the cornerstone of "Transformational-Generative Grammar." It showed that sentences have a "deep structure" (the simple, active form) that is transformed into a "surface structure" (the final form we speak or write, like the passive sentence). It had explanatory power: It didn't just label the parts; it explained the systematic relationship between active and passive sentences. What It Means Now: A Historical Artifact This is the most crucial part of your question. After 67 years of research, linguists (including Chomsky himself) no longer use this specific rule. It is now considered obsolete, a historical artifact. Here's why: It's Too Specific: As we discussed, Chomsky's life's work has been to simplify his own theories. He realized that having a separate, custom rule for every single construction (one for passives, one for questions, etc.) was clunky and missed deeper generalizations. It Was Replaced by General Principles: Later theories, like Government & Binding and the Minimalist Program, replaced all these specific rules with one, very general operation: Move. The idea is that any part of a sentence can move, and then universal principles constrain whether the result is grammatical. In the modern view, "the mouse" starts as the object of "chase" in the underlying structure and then moves to the subject position. This movement is seen as a more elegant and fundamental explanation than a dedicated "Passive Rule." The perfect analogy is the Ford Model T. The engine in the Model T was a revolutionary piece of engineering that changed the world and proved the concept of the automobile. But nobody uses that specific engine in a 2025 car. We now have far more advanced, efficient, and elegant engines that are based on the same fundamental principles. Rule (34) is the Model T engine of modern linguistics. It was brilliant, it changed everything, but the science has long since evolved to a more refined understanding." In conclusion, at least MY conclusion, is that if one wishes to have an intellectual discussion, or to be intellectually challenged in this way, then go with Gemini. BUT, if we wish to meet wonderful friends, here in Thailand, or those who share our love of Thailand....then.....always.... COME TO THAIVISA...... Am I wrong? IMPORTANT NOTE: As you can see here, Gemini did not get its MATH correct. Gemini still is a machine being perfected, day by day. I just mean, if you subtract 1957, which is the date of publication of Syntactic Structures, from today's date, then you do NOT come up with the number 67. Someday, this machine will get things right, and then we will be completely obsolete, and not just obsolescent.....maybe.... -
55
Travel AirAsia’s Game-Changing Leap: Low-Cost Flights from Southeast Asia to Europe & the US
Hang on....since when does American Airlines have anything to do with the discussion? Me and two other posters have mentioned AA already and we were clearly talking about AirAsia. Yes, American are a legacy carrier and that's their flight code but so what? I know what different airline flight codes are and have flown all the ones you mention and many more. I wasn't aware of the circumstances in 2022 but lots of airlines hit trouble in C19 and AirAsia have recovered well if so. I didn't fly them during that period. Did so before and after C19. Thai Lion Air - look into the number of short notice cancellations they do and get back to me. I did following my experience. FYI, the weather was fine in Bangkok and at ZhengZhou, there were no airspace restrictions either in Thailand or in China and they had plenty of time to find a replacement aircraft. Presumably they don't have enough of them or they had crewing issues. I had to delay my departure by a day thanks to them, paid to go in an airport hotel and rebook an indirect flight which added several hours to my journey. I've flown AirAsia many times and they provide a good low cost experience imo. It's about expectations. As per my previous posts in this thread, I recommended paying for an exit row seat. If you're too tight to pay a bit extra for that, well that's on you. The regular seats in the plane are no more cramped than someone like Bangkok Airways ime and the interiors are a lot newer. No issue for 2 or even 3 hours flying. They aren't spacious for sure, but get an exit row seat if you need it. Not sure where you have flown to but most your complaints about the smell of the food are bizarre. You're in Asia, what do you expect?! I flew them several times over the winter - internally in Thailand, to Vietnam and to China and encountered an experience in line with a decent low-cost airline. Been to several other places pre-C19 and same applies. Yeah, the crowd may be cheap and cheerful but so what? It is on legacy carriers in economy as well. People don't cause me an issue as long as they respect my space. The flight attendants generally have a good attitude and smile ime. Laptop - if your battery doesn't last for more than 3 hours then bring a tablet surely. In my previous post I also mentioned I generally fly between UK and BKK in EVA business. Also done so on Qatar and Gulf Air. This winter, flew BKK to Hanoi in Vietnam Airlines business. So I know exactly what the difference in service level between different cabins and carriers is. Doesn't change my opinion of AirAsia at all. Your comment about AirAsia and "the clientele it attracts" comes across as being snobbish in the extreme. Do you only mix with J class travellers in day to day life as well? -
41
Tourism Pattaya’s Nightlife Workers Receive Aid Amid Tourism Slump
They could also prohibit proostitution....? -
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