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Ignore, for a moment, the idea of freedom versus authority. That topic is really important, always timely, and full of nuance. Just for the next hour or two, g

Ignore, for a moment, the idea of freedom versus authority. That topic is really important, always timely, and full of nuance. Just for the next hour or two, go down a rabbit hole of reading about the history of Thailand/Siam/Ayutthaya, for no other purpose than learning something about a group of humanity very different from the Western experience. After that, take a breath, then re-read this article. Your reaction will probably be the same, but it'll have a more interesting story behind it.

kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 5y ago
Got a starting point for us?
- bovermyer 5y ago
  This is a good one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom From a book perspective, I adored A History of Thailand by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit.
  - bjcy 5y ago
    I can agree, A History of Thailand is an excellent recommendation.
bjcy 5y ago
For anyone wanting to add to their perspective how some younger generations are bringing in their thoughts on freedom/authority: - https://thisrupt.co https://thisrupt.co - https://thestandard.co/homepage/ https://thestandard.co/homepage/ (Thai language only, but you can attempt to Google Translate)
- chana_masala 5y ago
  How do thisrupt authors not get arrested? The commentary seems very inflammatory Edit: I don't mean that I think they should - I mean that given e.g. Lese Majeste, I would have expected them to be persecuted.
- troydavis 5y ago
  I’d add: https://www.thaienquirer.com/ https://www.thaienquirer.com/ (English)
- noduerme 5y ago
  Here it is with further analysis, from another good long-standing source of information about human rights and repression of journalism in Thailand... https://prachatai.com/english/node/9368 https://prachatai.com/english/node/9368
- NicolasCornwall 5y ago
  And I thought I'm the only one following thisrupt. I'm living in Bangkok and would like to discuss some things with you. How can I reach you the best?
  - robk 5y ago
    This seems like a risky response - this is exactly what a intelligence agent would ask (w a brand new account to boot).
- busymom0 5y ago
  Websites can be translated automatically using: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://thestandard.co/homepage/ https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https...
hmwhy 5y ago
I feel that you have something that you feel is important but just stopped short of saying it. If that's the case, would you mind elaborating on it? I am interested because I am one of those people whose "reaction will probably be the same". I think I do appreciate cultural and historical differences between different groups of people, but I don't understand how having a more interesting story behind [insert injustice] would lead to a better outcome for everyone. These days I tend to avoid real life discussions about these issues with people because whenever someone pulls out the "you don't understand their culture and history" card it's pretty much the end of a conversation or just an argument between beliefs. > learning something about a group of humanity very different from the Western experience Just want to note that I think there are lots of people from non-Western backgrounds, or have a very good understand of both Western and non-Western cultures here.
- meesles 5y ago
  The sad irony today is that it would literally take any group that is discussing this topic 10 minutes to collectively google, wikipedia, and summarize some real facts to lead the discussion to something higher level than historical facts that almost no one knows. This phenomenon isn't limited to this topic by any means. Lately I've been noticing how so much of conversation is filler by people attempting to figure out readily available facts by sharing anecdotes and making generalizations from those. Not to mention when people get upset because they're both convinced they're right, when a quick search could clear it up instantly. Do people genuinely enjoy this part of socializing or is everyone still not used to the idea of having infinite search power in the palm of our hands at all times?
  - s5300 5y ago
    No, no friend, you are actually wrong. I have recently found that a sizeable amount of people will completely seriously tell you to your face that Wikipedia isn't facts and anything you find on the internet (that doesn't conform to their views/gives them confirmation biS) is lies and propaganda by big tech. It's insane, and there's no fighting it. Really, they will not budge in the slightest. I cannot think of anything that can possibly save things other than massive education reform.... and given the fact education (in the US) has been being completely dismantled in the past 40 so years, I do not think that savior is coming.
newbie789 5y ago
What exactly is relevant about a kingdom from the 14th century when it comes to banning IP addresses? I don’t mean to sound flippant, but the suggestion of “if you only knew the entire history of this area/group, you’d understand…” smacks of smugness at best, and some sort of dog whistle at worst. If you could kindly share what about the incredibly broad area of study you’ve suggested we all become experts on would be helpful here, I think many of us would appreciate it. Otherwise the only piece of information I’ve cleaned from this post is “I have an opinion that’s informed by… something I’ve read. I decline to share neither the opinion or what information it’s based on.”
- bovermyer 5y ago
  In this case, I was trying to convey that Thai culture comes from a more authoritarian background, and the recent rebellion against that is more significant than most Westerners realize. So, basically, I expected people to react to the article with "well, that's shitty, but I bet the people are going to do something interesting about this..." instead of just "well, that's shitty."

kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 5y ago

Got a starting point for us?

bovermyer 5y ago
This is a good one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom From a book perspective, I adored A History of Thailand by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit.
- bjcy 5y ago
  I can agree, A History of Thailand is an excellent recommendation.

bjcy 5y ago

For anyone wanting to add to their perspective how some younger generations are bringing in their thoughts on freedom/authority: - https://thisrupt.co https://thisrupt.co - https://thestandard.co/homepage/ https://thestandard.co/homepage/ (Thai language only, but you can attempt to Google Translate)

chana_masala 5y ago
How do thisrupt authors not get arrested? The commentary seems very inflammatory Edit: I don't mean that I think they should - I mean that given e.g. Lese Majeste, I would have expected them to be persecuted.
troydavis 5y ago
I’d add: https://www.thaienquirer.com/ https://www.thaienquirer.com/ (English)
noduerme 5y ago
Here it is with further analysis, from another good long-standing source of information about human rights and repression of journalism in Thailand... https://prachatai.com/english/node/9368 https://prachatai.com/english/node/9368
NicolasCornwall 5y ago
And I thought I'm the only one following thisrupt. I'm living in Bangkok and would like to discuss some things with you. How can I reach you the best?
- robk 5y ago
  This seems like a risky response - this is exactly what a intelligence agent would ask (w a brand new account to boot).
busymom0 5y ago
Websites can be translated automatically using: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https://thestandard.co/homepage/ https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https...

hmwhy 5y ago

I feel that you have something that you feel is important but just stopped short of saying it. If that's the case, would you mind elaborating on it? I am interested because I am one of those people whose "reaction will probably be the same". I think I do appreciate cultural and historical differences between different groups of people, but I don't understand how having a more interesting story behind [insert injustice] would lead to a better outcome for everyone. These days I tend to avoid real life discussions about these issues with people because whenever someone pulls out the "you don't understand their culture and history" card it's pretty much the end of a conversation or just an argument between beliefs. > learning something about a group of humanity very different from the Western experience Just want to note that I think there are lots of people from non-Western backgrounds, or have a very good understand of both Western and non-Western cultures here.

meesles 5y ago
The sad irony today is that it would literally take any group that is discussing this topic 10 minutes to collectively google, wikipedia, and summarize some real facts to lead the discussion to something higher level than historical facts that almost no one knows. This phenomenon isn't limited to this topic by any means. Lately I've been noticing how so much of conversation is filler by people attempting to figure out readily available facts by sharing anecdotes and making generalizations from those. Not to mention when people get upset because they're both convinced they're right, when a quick search could clear it up instantly. Do people genuinely enjoy this part of socializing or is everyone still not used to the idea of having infinite search power in the palm of our hands at all times?
- s5300 5y ago
  No, no friend, you are actually wrong. I have recently found that a sizeable amount of people will completely seriously tell you to your face that Wikipedia isn't facts and anything you find on the internet (that doesn't conform to their views/gives them confirmation biS) is lies and propaganda by big tech. It's insane, and there's no fighting it. Really, they will not budge in the slightest. I cannot think of anything that can possibly save things other than massive education reform.... and given the fact education (in the US) has been being completely dismantled in the past 40 so years, I do not think that savior is coming.

newbie789 5y ago

What exactly is relevant about a kingdom from the 14th century when it comes to banning IP addresses? I don’t mean to sound flippant, but the suggestion of “if you only knew the entire history of this area/group, you’d understand…” smacks of smugness at best, and some sort of dog whistle at worst. If you could kindly share what about the incredibly broad area of study you’ve suggested we all become experts on would be helpful here, I think many of us would appreciate it. Otherwise the only piece of information I’ve cleaned from this post is “I have an opinion that’s informed by… something I’ve read. I decline to share neither the opinion or what information it’s based on.”

bovermyer 5y ago
In this case, I was trying to convey that Thai culture comes from a more authoritarian background, and the recent rebellion against that is more significant than most Westerners realize. So, basically, I expected people to react to the article with "well, that's shitty, but I bet the people are going to do something interesting about this..." instead of just "well, that's shitty."