[shrine to the Bodhidharma at Long Vân Vietnamese temple in Pakse, Laos on 9/19/23] For two weeks, I had gone to Jenda Cafe, because it’s a large, airy space with no music, so ideal for writing. Yesterday, though, I had to sit through some muzak. Perhaps it’s just a one-day aberration, I hoped, but this morning, I was greeted with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” so I didn’t even bother to walk in. Again, unoccasioned music cheapens it and deadens our minds.
Good morning, Linh, and thank you for your latest words of insight and wisdom. Perhaps you yourself are an incarnation of a wandering monk - always an outsider, observing joys and sorrows, beauty and ugliness, follies and truths - in your own quest to evolve. Best of luck in Cambodia.
Curing myself, I've lost so much weight, I'm looking like some ascetic monk, but if I become more monk-like, I'll be dead! I never thought I could spend months in Laos without touching Beerlao...
The picture of the little girl peaking out from behind the Samsung ads is absolutely priceless. A great reminder to stay innocent and see the joy in life, instead of the smut. As always, thank you for sharing your wonderful photography.
Hi Linh - I'm a retired Michigander married to a Thai. I used to travel quite a bit but I don't get out much anymore so I really get a vicarious kick out of your travels and observations. My wife recently returned from a trip to Thailand and said that I wouldn't even recognize the place (my last trip there was in 2004). She said it's much more dangerous now because of the drug problem and that even in her village in Udon province the streets are mostly empty because everybody is on their phones. If so this is distressing because one of my outstanding memories of her village was how wide open everything was. She'd disappear several times per day and if I looked I'd find her at one neighbor's house or another eating som tum (green papaya salad). No more, she says.
i read about the joyriding thrillkilling las vegas teenagers - they killed a retired cop - i saw it on the daily mail website
if/when civilization and global trade collapse only those populations who can subsist on things they can grow, gather, or hunt themselves will survive
my ancestral province - nova scotia, canada - exports many young people to work in the alberta oil sands - the choice they face is 'you can have a job, or you can have home - you can't have both'
my neighbor's son became a cop - he chased, shot and killed a shoplifter - it turned out the guy was unarmed but the cop thought he did have a weapon - now he's lost his job
according to buddhist thought there are four noble truths
this is the future - you got to live it or live with it - and someday it will be your turn to get out of the way
you have to be an above-average person to be a better friend than a regular dog
You're not "serving up banalities," Linh. And even if you are "just another SubStack midget" (aren't we all) being present and recording the storm is enough.
fine informative letter, on a photo showing in the water playing with plastic bottle someone in Norway would have said: "look at that poor child" not understanding the child is happy
“I will keep sketching your paradise lost. On this darkening earth, there are still oases of sunshine, laughter, smiles and frolicking kids, no matter how skinny.” For this I am grateful.
I don't know how people can concentrate with music playing constantly in the background. And how these kids do homework while getting blasted from headphone music is beyond me--even as a teen, I couldn't really do it. I can't even read a book in the same room as someone watching TV. As much as I like music, it doesn't work for me as background--it deserves one's full attention, just like any other activity.
I don't know that free speech is quite dead yet in the US, but it's definitely on life support.
here on the Redwood Coast, there are literally only 4 people in the huge ranch where we live
with whom it's possible to have an actual conversation - my neighbors are smart old hippies, and they're all guzzling the Kool-Aid - one must be extremely careful what one says - i'd literally be thrown off the ranch and forever ostracized if they knew what the 5 of us talk about........even with my beloved husband i must be careful
I used to have ‘friends’ among my neighbors but after Covid, and the 2020 election, the world changed, and my eyes were opened. My neighbors all believe in the ‘ goodness’ of the government and will go along with anything it says. I end up becoming more alone and turning to Calvados and murder novels to make life endurable, I have bad insomnia and Tibetan medicine says the reason is ‘lung’ - the mind running wild into places it shouldn’t go, and the cure is warmth, pleasant scenery and good friends. I hope, after I retire, that I can try to do something about that.
Hi! A student of mine and I are doing a project about free speech, alternative media and people's discontent with contemporary life. We'd like to talk to you if you're up for it. Nothing formal; just looking to establish a back-and-forth that might be fun and productive for all. Shoot me a line if you're interested --- guimaraesjpc@gmail.com
Ambient and much New Age music is atmospheric. No attention required or requested. I used to do artwork while playing my tunes. I seldom paid them much notice as I knew them quite well. I liked the comfort of hearing the pleasurably known. If I had a new cd to play, I'd have to wait for a less preoccupied time to scope it out. Reading books or any other left brain task seems to require focus and sustained concentration. Music would basically compete for that attention. Can't imagine doing homework w/ earphones.
Do you think there is any life support for free speech in America? I suppose Substack offers a lifeline, tho too few take advantage of that aspect imo.
Though America's dissidents haven't been sent to gulags, they are deplatformed, canceled or sent, scattering, to internet Siberia. Since genuine dissidents have audiences smaller than the crowd at a high school fooball game, they pose zero threat to DC.
Misleading the masses, limited hangouters like Amy Goodman, Noam Chomsky and Ron Unz are also proof, so to speak, that America still has free speech.
I think you put it better than I did about the music; I was too broad in my statement. Your observation about left brain tasks is a good one. There ARE things I don't mind doing with music playing in the background.
Here in the US, although they are pushing hard on censorship, they haven't quite gotten around to putting people in jail yet for what they say, write, or post, unlike (for example) the UK, Australia, or Germany. We still have some space to fight back--at least we are making it hard for them. The 1st Amendment in the US makes it harder for those trying to stamp out free speech, but it is obvious they are pushing the envelope as much as they possibly can.
Relatively soon China will have the place in the world that the US did in 1945, meaning that China will be able to assert her will on any spot on the globe. For various reasons China's power will be more complete than America's ever was. I do not think this is any remarkable insight, but to me is an obvious statement of fact.
I read on a "news" site recently that someone had sought "legal council". The person who wrote the article could not distinguish between "council" and "counsel" and probably did not even know they are two separate words with completely different meanings. That is bad enough, but obviously anyone (if anyone) who read the article before it was posted did not notice the error either.
With cowardly, compromised or dishonest "dissidents, and fearful citizens who put all their trust into conmen, the US is finished. There is nothing left to save.
Already, there are internal refugees, with millions fleeing cities or states. Many have also gotten out. As this turns into a flood, countries will start to block US citizens from entering. I said years ago Mexico will need a border wall more than the USA, to keep Americans out.
Wrecking so many countries, the US has generated floods of refugees. They too had family obligations, homes and businesses which they had to abandon. Though America has waged economic war for decades against Venezuela, Americans are now annoyed to see Venezuelans flooding across their southern border.
In all public realms, idiocy and dishonesty rule. Regurgitating cliches and catch phrases, everyone dodges taboo topics and words, so nothing is solved.
As their situation worsens, Americans will become even more belligerent, towards each other and the world, so expect more chaos and violence ahead.
I’m afraid you’re absolutely correct and the implications are horrific; long term there’s nowhere to run and, yes, Americans won’t be able to immigrate as no one wants them.
Incidentally, I’m not so sure Americans can psychologically handle being an immigrant as we’re used to controlling everyone and everything.
I've proposed election boycotts, with Americans not staying home but showing up on election day to protest. I've pointed out the galvanizing effect of a meaningful assassination. I've discussed secession.
None of these ideas has much traction, however, and as just another SubStack midget, I'm not going to make a difference. Not that it matters much, I'm here to record this storm.
Growing more belligerent is something I definitely feel. Everyone is growing more ornery except from the people who just walk around with dead looks on their faces.
Linh--speaking of Mexico soon being the one that will need a wall, I wonder if that is what Trump meant when he said that "we would build a wall, and Mexico would pay for it"? Ha!
Now that more Americans are leaving for greener pastures, some of the more popular countries are increasing their financial requirements. Wealthy Asians and Whites are the preferred expats
Good morning, Linh, and thank you for your latest words of insight and wisdom. Perhaps you yourself are an incarnation of a wandering monk - always an outsider, observing joys and sorrows, beauty and ugliness, follies and truths - in your own quest to evolve. Best of luck in Cambodia.
Hi Yosemite Sam,
Curing myself, I've lost so much weight, I'm looking like some ascetic monk, but if I become more monk-like, I'll be dead! I never thought I could spend months in Laos without touching Beerlao...
Linh
The picture of the little girl peaking out from behind the Samsung ads is absolutely priceless. A great reminder to stay innocent and see the joy in life, instead of the smut. As always, thank you for sharing your wonderful photography.
Hi Linh - I'm a retired Michigander married to a Thai. I used to travel quite a bit but I don't get out much anymore so I really get a vicarious kick out of your travels and observations. My wife recently returned from a trip to Thailand and said that I wouldn't even recognize the place (my last trip there was in 2004). She said it's much more dangerous now because of the drug problem and that even in her village in Udon province the streets are mostly empty because everybody is on their phones. If so this is distressing because one of my outstanding memories of her village was how wide open everything was. She'd disappear several times per day and if I looked I'd find her at one neighbor's house or another eating som tum (green papaya salad). No more, she says.
i read about the joyriding thrillkilling las vegas teenagers - they killed a retired cop - i saw it on the daily mail website
if/when civilization and global trade collapse only those populations who can subsist on things they can grow, gather, or hunt themselves will survive
my ancestral province - nova scotia, canada - exports many young people to work in the alberta oil sands - the choice they face is 'you can have a job, or you can have home - you can't have both'
my neighbor's son became a cop - he chased, shot and killed a shoplifter - it turned out the guy was unarmed but the cop thought he did have a weapon - now he's lost his job
according to buddhist thought there are four noble truths
this is the future - you got to live it or live with it - and someday it will be your turn to get out of the way
you have to be an above-average person to be a better friend than a regular dog
You're not "serving up banalities," Linh. And even if you are "just another SubStack midget" (aren't we all) being present and recording the storm is enough.
I grew up in a country where I was free to roam without supervision. Where adults looked out for a child they did not know.
1975, Buffalo, NY.
fine informative letter, on a photo showing in the water playing with plastic bottle someone in Norway would have said: "look at that poor child" not understanding the child is happy
the Scandinavians tend to measure everything of their standard of of a sad world view
“I will keep sketching your paradise lost. On this darkening earth, there are still oases of sunshine, laughter, smiles and frolicking kids, no matter how skinny.” For this I am grateful.
I don't know how people can concentrate with music playing constantly in the background. And how these kids do homework while getting blasted from headphone music is beyond me--even as a teen, I couldn't really do it. I can't even read a book in the same room as someone watching TV. As much as I like music, it doesn't work for me as background--it deserves one's full attention, just like any other activity.
I don't know that free speech is quite dead yet in the US, but it's definitely on life support.
here on the Redwood Coast, there are literally only 4 people in the huge ranch where we live
with whom it's possible to have an actual conversation - my neighbors are smart old hippies, and they're all guzzling the Kool-Aid - one must be extremely careful what one says - i'd literally be thrown off the ranch and forever ostracized if they knew what the 5 of us talk about........even with my beloved husband i must be careful
I used to have ‘friends’ among my neighbors but after Covid, and the 2020 election, the world changed, and my eyes were opened. My neighbors all believe in the ‘ goodness’ of the government and will go along with anything it says. I end up becoming more alone and turning to Calvados and murder novels to make life endurable, I have bad insomnia and Tibetan medicine says the reason is ‘lung’ - the mind running wild into places it shouldn’t go, and the cure is warmth, pleasant scenery and good friends. I hope, after I retire, that I can try to do something about that.
Hi! A student of mine and I are doing a project about free speech, alternative media and people's discontent with contemporary life. We'd like to talk to you if you're up for it. Nothing formal; just looking to establish a back-and-forth that might be fun and productive for all. Shoot me a line if you're interested --- guimaraesjpc@gmail.com
Ambient and much New Age music is atmospheric. No attention required or requested. I used to do artwork while playing my tunes. I seldom paid them much notice as I knew them quite well. I liked the comfort of hearing the pleasurably known. If I had a new cd to play, I'd have to wait for a less preoccupied time to scope it out. Reading books or any other left brain task seems to require focus and sustained concentration. Music would basically compete for that attention. Can't imagine doing homework w/ earphones.
Do you think there is any life support for free speech in America? I suppose Substack offers a lifeline, tho too few take advantage of that aspect imo.
Hi Billy,
Though America's dissidents haven't been sent to gulags, they are deplatformed, canceled or sent, scattering, to internet Siberia. Since genuine dissidents have audiences smaller than the crowd at a high school fooball game, they pose zero threat to DC.
Misleading the masses, limited hangouters like Amy Goodman, Noam Chomsky and Ron Unz are also proof, so to speak, that America still has free speech.
Linh
America's dissidents haven't been sent to gulags... except for the January 6 protesters. You know, the ones the Orange Man keeps talking about.
yes, a sentence of 18 years?! That’s really harsh. And MSM doesn’t report about it so nobody knows.
I think you put it better than I did about the music; I was too broad in my statement. Your observation about left brain tasks is a good one. There ARE things I don't mind doing with music playing in the background.
Here in the US, although they are pushing hard on censorship, they haven't quite gotten around to putting people in jail yet for what they say, write, or post, unlike (for example) the UK, Australia, or Germany. We still have some space to fight back--at least we are making it hard for them. The 1st Amendment in the US makes it harder for those trying to stamp out free speech, but it is obvious they are pushing the envelope as much as they possibly can.
Relatively soon China will have the place in the world that the US did in 1945, meaning that China will be able to assert her will on any spot on the globe. For various reasons China's power will be more complete than America's ever was. I do not think this is any remarkable insight, but to me is an obvious statement of fact.
I read on a "news" site recently that someone had sought "legal council". The person who wrote the article could not distinguish between "council" and "counsel" and probably did not even know they are two separate words with completely different meanings. That is bad enough, but obviously anyone (if anyone) who read the article before it was posted did not notice the error either.
Linh, I’d be interested to see if you think the US can be saved and if so how?
If not what can Westerners do, since most people, due to family obligations or age, can’t emigrate?
Your columns are fascinating.
Hi snowman,
With cowardly, compromised or dishonest "dissidents, and fearful citizens who put all their trust into conmen, the US is finished. There is nothing left to save.
Already, there are internal refugees, with millions fleeing cities or states. Many have also gotten out. As this turns into a flood, countries will start to block US citizens from entering. I said years ago Mexico will need a border wall more than the USA, to keep Americans out.
Wrecking so many countries, the US has generated floods of refugees. They too had family obligations, homes and businesses which they had to abandon. Though America has waged economic war for decades against Venezuela, Americans are now annoyed to see Venezuelans flooding across their southern border.
In all public realms, idiocy and dishonesty rule. Regurgitating cliches and catch phrases, everyone dodges taboo topics and words, so nothing is solved.
As their situation worsens, Americans will become even more belligerent, towards each other and the world, so expect more chaos and violence ahead.
Linh
Greetings Linh,
Thank you for your response.
I’m afraid you’re absolutely correct and the implications are horrific; long term there’s nowhere to run and, yes, Americans won’t be able to immigrate as no one wants them.
Incidentally, I’m not so sure Americans can psychologically handle being an immigrant as we’re used to controlling everyone and everything.
None of this will have a happy ending I’m afraid
Warmest Regards Linh.
Hi snowman,
I've proposed election boycotts, with Americans not staying home but showing up on election day to protest. I've pointed out the galvanizing effect of a meaningful assassination. I've discussed secession.
None of these ideas has much traction, however, and as just another SubStack midget, I'm not going to make a difference. Not that it matters much, I'm here to record this storm.
Linh
Growing more belligerent is something I definitely feel. Everyone is growing more ornery except from the people who just walk around with dead looks on their faces.
Linh--speaking of Mexico soon being the one that will need a wall, I wonder if that is what Trump meant when he said that "we would build a wall, and Mexico would pay for it"? Ha!
Now that more Americans are leaving for greener pastures, some of the more popular countries are increasing their financial requirements. Wealthy Asians and Whites are the preferred expats
don't me started on Muzak when I watch a video I can't see what I«'m looking because of the noise
music the insist on playing
and in all the restaurants and cafes, they insist on having music in the background and often too loud for anyone to have a conversation.