I just saw this thread on happier abroad forum about long time member Shemp and wanted to share it here :lol:

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This thread will be all about Shemp going on an odyssey type adventure after being transported to another world for degenerates.

The chapters will be in no particular order but eventually it will be merged into a more ordered story.

Frank, also known as Shemp, looked out the window after the orderlies at the New York Psychiatric Institute dragged him back to his padded room and he was screaming things that people thought to be insanities.

When in his room, he began to think back to the events of the previous months that led him to where he is now. He was in another world where there was nasty, deviant, degenerate, sickening, disgusting, depraved, and totally degrading sexual debauchery. It was also a place where impossible things were possible.

His thoughts were interrupted when it was time for his medicine. Sleeping pills at night and in the morning it would be medicine for schizophrenia and mania.

When he went to his counselor, he would tell him, Doctor Mousely MD, a doctor who once had an STD in college, about the Queef Eaters, the Cilleyclops, the Cilleys, the Yiddick of Yickopolis Island, a talking dog with its own harem of human females, and other foul things. He would tell them about beastiality rituals, having to eat pork from pig people, and battling in a gay colosseum for his freedom literally risking his ass if not his life.

His counselor told him that until he gives up his delusions and begins to accept reality, he will never be able to leave the New York Psychiatry Institute. Shemp would often reply by turning around, pulling down his pants to reveal his hairy ass, slapping it, and letting out a wet profusely putrid fart. He would shout "How you accept this reality Doc?

The Counselor would puke in the trash can and the orderlies rush in to restrain Frank, aka Shemp, and drag him back to his room. Frank would often do things he learned on his travels.

Some nights, he would even have dreams of being back in the other world, where at one time, he was tied down, and a ten millimeter size man crawled inside his penis while a three centimeter man was fücking Frank's urethra and came inside with the man inside licking it up. Frank was a giant slave to these gay mini men until he would escape. He would have a dream where he was in his counselor's office and feel something crawling through his urethra working it's way up his shaft, and then he would flop out his erect dick and the mini man's head would pop out of his dick and shout "Where have you been giant?"

The counselor would then rip apart and a Cilleyclops would be in its place shouting "Underage girls! Underage girls!" similar to the Cilleyclops he encountered in the other world.

The orderlies would rush inside and then transform into the Feces Feeders. They would yank down Frank's pants and the Tran Trollop would be on a leash ready to rape his mouth if he didn't give the Feces Feeders food. However, the Vacuum Mouth-tongued Feces Feeder would come into the room, insert it's tongue into his ass and he would start screaming. Then he would awaken from his nightmare to find orderlies restraining his flailing.

This was a sign that his mind was messed up because he couldn't reconcile being back on Earth. What messed up Frank's mind? Well, to find out and learn the adventures of and horrors encountered by Frank, you must read the accounts of what happened in the other world.

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Frank had washed up upon a mysterious and unusual island. He was famished after floating on a wooden plank of the capsized destroyed boat for days. He awoke to a nude nubile woman with a blank expression on her face. Being horny, Frank was going to have sex with her and flipped out his dick but then he saw a big penis-eater crab begin to exit her püssy. He was freaking out but the crab had control of the human woman who was like a shell. That's how the crab lures in its prey.

Frank ran away farther into the island to find himself in a village. He smelled something like roast beef and when he went into the town, he saw men lying on the ground with their mouths open. Then he heard loud queefs going into the mouths of the men.

Frank was hungry and ran away and saw a rundown shack. An old Incel hermit with a long beard told Frank that the women in the village are roasties and their Queefs have the stench of roast beef and have become the food of the Queef Eaters, the men in the village whose only purpose is to now eat Queefs.

He asked the hermit for food and the hermit replied "Go eat Queefs!"

So Frank wandered into town, laid on the ground, and then a swine of a woman squatted down and queefed into Frank's mouth. Her toastie püssy had the stench of rotten fish and her fat folds reeked of stale sweat.

Frank wanted to throw up because he didn't know how the Queef Eaters could eat queefs...he would later learn from the hermit that only native men of this unusual world could become Queef Eaters.

If Frank wanted real food, he would have to steal it from the roasties. He had to go back into town and pretend to be a Queef Eater. So he had to endure roast beef smelling queefs for many hours. Sometimes morbidly obese roasties would approach him too.

One, twice the size of a morbidly obese sumo wrestler, was a toastie who couldn't really even bathe herself. She was an exiled roastie banished from the town. But she had a sense of smell that an unusual man was in town and intended to try him out. So when Frank had his eyes closed, he began smelling the absolute worst scent, and then when he opened his eyes, the monstrosity of a woman was above him with her roast beef püssy and her fat folds dropped crumbs of a stinky substance made of dried sweat, old skin cells, and dirt. Frank wanted to puke and even more when the woman queefed in his face. He could also smell a nasty scent emanating from her ass. Then, she let out a long nasty fart close to Frank's nose and the smell lingered in the air, and then Frank started to gag and want to puke but then the morbidly obese ass pinned his face to the ground and let out another queef and fart. Frank started to cry and tear up, gagging, wanting to puke, until he had no choice but to endure this grotesque smell. When he stopped struggling he endured hours more of it. Then, before the morbidly obese exiled roastie left, she pissed all over Frank's face and pushed out the biggest pile of shit onto Frank's face.

Then she walked away out of town and Frank finally puked. He brushed off the stink crumbs and when to the food storage warehouse at night and began to eat as much as he could before taking as much as he could back to the hermit.

The hermit shouted at Frank to go somewhere and bathe because he reeked of morbidly obese landwhale stench.

In town the roasties found the food warehouse looted and began looking for the culprit. Many thought it was a giant rat or the morbidly obese exiled roastie.

[Abridged: Frank has to endure torturous treatment for weeks, encounters and gets chased by a giant rat, and nearly dies from being abducted by the exiled morbidly obese landwhale roastie and locked in her outhouse where she urinates and shits all over him believing he's a Queef Eater. He has to knockout the exiled roastie and pisses all over her as if he was a dog marking something as it's territory. The landwhale, unable to cope with being pissed on by a man who should have been a Queef Eater, jumps off a nearby cliff in an act of suicide and lands on the outskirts of the town. Frank eventually escapes the island of the Queef Eaters after obtaining a bath and a set of new clothes, by building a makeshift raft].

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After days drifting at sea, Frank's raft eventually washed onto a new island. He hide his raft and ran away from the nude nubile women on the beach after having learned that in this strange world, there's penis eater crabs that use some as shells after taking over their minds.

He wandered until he found a cave filled with cheese and large jugs of milk. He didn't see any cows, goats, or sheep but nonetheless, he started to eat some cheese and drink milk because it was days since he had last eaten.

Then he heard the ground shake and he ran and hide, while watching what looked like a one-eyed giant walk into the cave...a cyclops?

The humanoid creature shouted "Some eat and drink me food! Thief steal breast milk cheese and breast milk!"

The creature began to rampage outside by ripping trees out of the ground, roaring, and beating shrubs with his oversized club.

The residents in the nearby town could hear the rampaging giant and Shemp escaped. He learned in town that the creature was a Cilleyclops. All residents of the island are Cilleys and to pacify the giant, they gave offerings of breast milk dairy products from human women who are used as dairy cows. But someone upset the delicate and fragile mind of the Cilleyclops.

The Cilleys brought offerings to calm the Cilleyclops but to everyone's surprise the Cilleyclops shouted "Underage girls! Underage girls!"

The Cilleys would need to give offerings of underage girls to the Cilleyclops.

Frank decided to put on an American Captain-Save-A-Hoe Hat on after he was exploring the island and found a corpse of an American Simp Superhero who was long dead. He put on the tricorn and and when the Cilleyclops was sleeping, attempted to blind it with a spear but failed and Frank almost died so he burned the Captain's tricorn. He was an old perverted bastard, not a simp superhero.

Frank saw the underage girl, a [censored, (against forum rules to specify an age)] year old which the Cilleyclops demanded to live the best life possible and watched the Cilleyclops get a big erection the length of a baseball bat and twice as thick. The Cilleyclops was a monster with a monsterous dick and intended to break the underage girl with it.

The Cilleys asked Frank to save the girl but he said that he's no hero. Then he had an idea. He told the villagers to capture the nude nubiles on the beach with penis-eater crabs dwelling in their püssies. The villagers could pass the mindlessly living human shells of the crabs off as the other offerings and maybe save the girl before it was too late.

He watched the Cilleyclops wank off his dick and shower the girl in cum.

They were too late getting back to the Cilleyclops because the Cilleyclops pushed it's monsterous baseball bat dick into the underage girl causing her to bleed really bad and scream that it hurts and cry. Then fill her full of Cilleyclops cum. The girl was going to be impregnated and have a Cilleyclops baby.

But Frank's plan didn't understand one thing. When the Cilleys offered the captured nude nubiles from the beach, the Cilleyclops was almost about to pound them then the penis-eater crabs stuck out their heads and began screaming. The crabs don't eat Cilleyclops penis. This caused the Cilleyclops and the hosts of the penis-eater crabs to begin a rampage, and the Cilleys began running. But the tribe of Cilleyclops elsewhere on the island joined the rampage.

The destruction lasted days. And Frank became unwelcome for his role in escalating the conflict. Everything that happened was the fault of Frank stealing the human breast milk and cheese offerings of the Cilleyclops.

Frank had to lure penis-eater crabs out of the pussies of the mindless host females on the beach, then smash the crabs, and cook them. The mindless hosts would eventually go back to the water nude and wait for another crab to enter their püssy, continuing their short lifecycle as a host, until their death at age 25. Where do these females from from? They appear on the beach after swimming out of a giant sea-püssy.

Frank's punishment was having to live with the Cilleyclops as a servant in exchange for food. He watched the Cilleyclops drink breast milk from the girl then the girl birth a Cilleyclops baby three times as big as a human baby. She almost broke apart. Frank watched her take a look at the one-eyed baby and then she threw herself off the cliff rather than be a sex slave of the Cilleyclops.

To appease the Cilleyclops who was about to rampage again, the Cilleys gave the Cilleyclops a human cow for sex and breeding Cilleyclops.

Tired of this island, Frank went back to his raft and began a new drift at sea.

===

Frank washed again to another island but when he awoke he was tied down and he saw very tiny people. Some were harvesting the fabric from his clothing but others were using him sexually.

He saw a tiny man probably no more than one centimeter tall at the tip of his penis and begin to enter into his urethra. Frank was screaming from the mini people's gay molestation. Then a larger mini man climbed atop Frank's dick and started to rub his dick against Frank's urethra and shouted "I'm gonna use your penis like a püssy!"

Frank felt licks inside his penis and the rubbing of a tiny dick frotting against his urethra while the mini man on the outside used Frank's precum as lube and pushed his dick inside.

Frank was moaning like a whore from having his urethra rape-fücked by a mini man. The mini man shouted that he's cumming and released his load inside of Frank's penis. Other mini men decided to have their go at using the giant so Frank was getting all day until his urethra was overflowing with the cum of all these mini men, unable to hold anymore. The mini man inside stuck out his head for a cum bath and shouted "Giant, I'll be sleeping inside your penis tonight!"

The mini people of the island debated what to do about this giant and they decided to put him on trial the next day, but allow for the sexual public usage of Frank.

Frank awoke to the feeling of dozens of little tongues licking his penis head and had a cumshot. It launched the mini man from inside his urethra all the way to his chest. Then the mini man started to feast on the cum and mini men started to rub their dicks on Frank's nipples and cum. Mini man after mini man began to enter Frank's dick in a test to see how many could fit inside and how deep they could explore the giant's insides.

Frank was screaming and then the tribunal arrives. They put Frank on trial for being threatening from his size.

Frank says he will leave the island but the tribunal sentences him to one year of sexual servitude. Frank is then fed an addicting substance and he will crave it until he gets an antidote at the end of his sentence. So Frank won't be able to leave because his addiction will be so severe that he will kill himself if he doesn't get a daily fix.

Frank is released from the ropes and begins to come to terms with being an indentured sex slave for mini men.

The largest mini man, a twelve inch mini man, is summoned to violate Frank's urethra. Being larger than any mini men and unable to experience the pleasures of human flesh, this mini man will show no mercy to ravishing Frank's urethra.

The mini man has a three inch penis which proportionally to his twelve inch size is huge. Frank is obligated to fulfill any requests of the mini people. The mini man lives his dick and pushes it inside Frank's urethra. It's a rough fück and a big cumshot is released inside Frank.

Frank is used for the duration of his sentence with the worst experience being a mini man who brought an exploration team that went through his urethra into his bladder, and then back out, causing him pain.

Another unusual experience was when a few gay mini men ordered Frank to let them cum on his eyes. And other Goliath type mini men used their dicks to cum into Frank's ears.

When his sentence was over, he was given the antidote and told to leave the island. He had no clothes except his shoes and socks.

Frank was eventually caught in a current that brought him to another island...one that would be much more degenerate and depraved than the others.

Tax cuts, particularly those targeted at corporations and high earners, are often sold as a means to boost economic growth, increase wages, and spur investment in job-creating projects. However, history has repeatedly shown that the promised benefits rarely materialize for the average worker. Instead, the majority of the financial windfall ends up enriching corporate executives and shareholders through stock buybacks, while wages remain stagnant, and economic inequality worsens.

Corporate Tax Cuts: Who Really Benefits?
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, a move that was promoted as a way to boost investment, raise wages, and create jobs. The rationale was that with lower tax burdens, companies would reinvest their savings into expansion, innovation, and their workforce. But in reality, much of the tax savings went elsewhere.
Corporations used the extra cash primarily for stock buybacks—an artificial method of inflating share prices, benefiting executives and wealthy shareholders. In the third quarter of 2018 alone, S&P 500 companies repurchased nearly $200 billion worth of their own stock. By the end of the year, total stock buybacks across the economy were projected to exceed $1 trillion, shattering records.

While Republicans championed the tax cuts as a way to boost worker wages, the results told a different story. Some companies did hand out modest one-time bonuses, but these amounted to a fraction of the estimated $200 billion corporations saved in federal taxes. Wages did see a slight uptick, but the increases fell far short of what was promised. Meanwhile, corporate profits surged at an annualized rate of 6.5%, and financial giants like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup reported double-digit earnings growth.

Wage Stagnation: The Broken Promise
Despite decades of tax cuts, wages for American workers have remained largely stagnant when adjusted for inflation. In 1973, the median full-time male worker earned $53,294 (adjusted for inflation). By 2014, that figure had dropped to $50,383—meaning today’s workers are earning less in real terms than their counterparts over four decades ago.

Even though corporate profits have soared since the Great Recession ended in 2009, growing at an annualized rate of 6.5%, those gains have not translated into higher wages for most workers. Instead, any wage increases have disproportionately benefited the highest-paid tier of employees, widening the gap between the wealthy and the working class.

The Waning Effect on Economic Growth
Initially, the TCJA spurred a brief surge in capital investment at the start of 2018. However, that momentum quickly faded, with investment growth slowing sharply by the third quarter. Many economists, including those at the Federal Reserve, cut their growth forecasts for 2019, citing the diminishing impact of the tax cuts.

This trend is not unique to the TCJA. Historically, large-scale tax cuts have failed to generate sustained economic growth. The idea that reducing taxes for corporations and the wealthy will “trickle down” to benefit the broader economy has been repeatedly debunked by real-world data. The Reagan tax cuts of the 1980s, the Bush tax cuts of the early 2000s, and now the Trump tax cuts have all followed a similar pattern: corporations and high earners reap massive financial benefits, but little of that wealth makes its way to the middle class or working poor.

A Better Approach to Economic Growth
If tax cuts for corporations don’t work as advertised, what does? Research suggests that economic growth is more effectively driven by policies that increase consumer demand, strengthen worker bargaining power, and invest in public infrastructure and education.

Key alternatives to ineffective corporate tax cuts include:

• Raising the minimum wage: Higher wages increase consumer spending, driving demand for goods and services.
  
• Strengthening labor protections: Unions and worker protections help ensure fair wages and working conditions.
  
• Investing in public infrastructure: Improvements in transportation, broadband access, and clean energy create jobs and stimulate long-term economic growth.
  
• Expanding access to education and job training: A well-educated and highly skilled workforce is essential for maintaining economic competitiveness.
  

There is a growing tendency in some online circles to trivialize autism. Many in the "neurodiversity" movement portray autism as merely another natural variation of human cognition rather than acknowledging the reality of it as a debilitating neurological disorder. Many of these individuals lack a formal medical diagnosis, self-identifying as autistic based on perceived traits. They often wear this self-diagnosis as a badge of identity or even pride. However, these same neurodiversity spaces that seek to normalize autism frequently overlook those who experience severe symptoms. Cases where autism leads to significant debilitation and suffering do not fit their narrative of autistic individuals as simply misunderstood, unique thinkers.

I was formally diagnosed with autism in my early 20s. My social struggles were evident throughout school, but autism was not widely recognized in my region at the time. When I was in sixth-form college, a counselor suspected I might be autistic, and I began seeing a specialist. However, relocating caused me to lose contact with the medical service, and I did not receive an official diagnosis. Years later, after continuing to face difficulties in adulthood, I sought out a professional assessment and was formally diagnosed.

Autism has been a major obstacle in my life. I feel significantly more affected than some others on the spectrum, with my condition being more severe than that of the average "aspie."

Autism is far from trivial. It is not merely a collection of social quirks, as many in the neurodiversity community seem to believe. Those affected often experience profound social difficulties, language impairments, hypersensitivity, information-processing deficits, and a tendency toward sensory overload and mental fatigue. Personally, my social impairment is obvious. I struggle with dysprosody, and my speech fluency is weak, even though I can write well. I also become mentally fatigued easily and am prone to anxiety and depression. Autism is associated with abnormal neural connectivity—insufficient in some regions, excessive in others—leading to these challenges.

One of the most significant difficulties has been my inability to form romantic relationships. I simply did not know how to adapt to social situations, and even when I gained knowledge of social interactions, I struggled to apply it in real-life contexts. My profound social impairment kept me isolated and prevented me from forming meaningful connections. Between the ages of 15 and 23, I was completely involuntarily celibate (incel), including during my time in Japan. Despite the stereotype that Japan is an "autistic paradise," I found that my social deficits still severely hindered me.

Autism has been a weak link in my life, particularly in dating and social success. I possess intellectual ability and athleticism, but I lack the crucial third component—social competence. By contrast, individuals like @PAG excel in all three areas: intelligence, physicality, and social acumen. As a neurotypical, he is charismatic and naturally adept at social interactions, which is why he has never experienced inceldom. If I had been competent in social interactions, I likely would not have suffered extreme social alienation.

Some self-identified autistic individuals, like Outcast and others, tend to blame "normies" (a term I personally dislike) or societal structures for their struggles. However, this does not change the fundamental reality: autism is a neurological disorder that causes genuine social and cognitive deficiencies. While some neurotypicals are understanding and supportive, dating an autistic person is an entirely different matter. Many people have been tolerant of me, but few women have been willing to pursue a relationship with me. They sense that I have a deficiency, which has a strong genetic component with high heritability. I can understand why some women might not want to date an autistic individual—passing on the condition could result in a severely impaired child.

Most people, particularly women selecting a mate, seek biological fitness. Social competence is a critical survival trait. It is logical that someone would prefer a partner without a heritable neurological disorder—someone more like @PAG than myself. While this may be uncomfortable for some autists or members of the neurodiversity movement to hear, it is an honest assessment. Even though I am autistic, I do not live in denial of reality.

At one point, I believe I experienced a temporary glimpse of what it feels like to be neurotypical. In 2018, I attended a spiritual retreat in Spain where I took Ayahuasca. The experience felt like a neurological "reset," giving me a newfound cognitive fluidity that lasted for about a week. My speech became clear, my ability to socialize improved, and I felt as though I could engage with others naturally and effortlessly. For the first time, I felt free from the constraints of my condition. The effect, however, was temporary, and I eventually returned to my usual state.

If my Ayahuasca experience truly allowed me to see the other side of the coin, then I can say that living with autism is frustrating and constraining. It feels as though my consciousness is restricted by abnormal neural connectivity, preventing me from fully expressing myself. The feeling is both suffocating and exhausting. I know what I want to do, but my brain does not respond accordingly. By contrast, the neurotypical state—where information flows smoothly and effortlessly—felt almost magical. It was akin to removing crutches after years of dependency and finally being able to walk unimpeded. I would love to have neurotypical cognition permanently and experience that level of freedom all the time.

I recognize that my perspective may not sit well with the neurodiversity movement, but I believe people should be more honest about their own limitations rather than glorifying a neurological disorder. Autism is not some unique, special gift—it is a disorder that comes with real challenges. While society has its flaws, I attribute my struggles more to defective biology than to external circumstances. Accepting this reality does not mean resigning oneself to suffering; rather, it means acknowledging one's weaknesses and seeking ways to improve within the constraints that exist.

Denying the impact of autism does not help anyone—it merely fosters complacency and prevents individuals from addressing the real difficulties they face.

Most discussions about the future focus on surface-level issues rather than the underlying systems shaping society. However, those with deeper insight recognize that we are on the brink of a profound transformation—one that could render traditional political structures obsolete. Our trajectory points toward the emergence of a Global Brain, an AI-driven framework that will govern our personal and professional lives, making conventional political thought increasingly irrelevant.

Techno-Monarchism is a new political model that blends traditional autocratic rule with advanced technology. Emerging from the Neo-Reactionary Movement and championed by thinkers like Curtis Yarvin and Nick Land, it rejects democratic equality in favor of a centralized, technocratic autocracy. In this system, a single ruler or elite cadre—empowered by AI, surveillance, and big data—would govern the state much like a corporate CEO, streamlining decisions and enforcing order with machine precision

According to the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, fewer than 20% of Japanese people have a passport. Many of these individuals are "never travelers" who are content with domestic trips within Japan. Over 35% of Japanese citizens report having no intention of traveling abroad again. It wouldn’t be surprising if a significant portion of passport holders primarily use them for business travel.

For reference: 
- America: ~42% (2017) 
- Australia: ~57% (2020) 
- China: ~8.7% (2016) 
- Germany: ~41% (2018) 
- Canada: ~70% (2022) 
- Tanzania: ~13% (2020) 
- UK: 86%—which isn’t surprising. How else are they going to find some sun? 

While the United States is often labeled as insular, it is nowhere near as inward-looking as Japan. American pop culture is a massive global export, and wherever Americans travel, they generally find accommodations for their language, food, and overall preferences. In contrast, Japanese travelers who don’t speak English may struggle significantly abroad unless they’ve prepared with translation tools. The experience is vastly different.

Japan remains highly homogeneous and inward-facing, sheltered from the outside world in ways few other places are, especially outside major cities. Being a foreigner in Japan often feels more isolating than in many other countries. Historically, Japan has been an insular culture, bordering on isolationism, so this shouldn’t be surprising.

Japan stands out for its cleanliness, discipline, and commitment to the collective good. However, when it comes to human relationships and the social fabric, there are deep concerns about its future. The solitude one might feel here can be profound, especially for those without a close companion. Married middle-aged men, willing to pay $500 just for a night of platonic companionship, illustrate the depths of emotional isolation. Young adults, still living with their parents, often focus only on work and their immediate social circles, spending significant amounts on fleeting moments of social validation instead of saving for long-term goals.

A large portion of the population shows little interest in learning English, traveling, or broadening their horizons. Some of this stems from genuine disinterest, but for many, financial constraints force resignation. Then there are the thousands of shop assistants on minimum wage, whose daily routines revolve around cheap ramen, video games, and escapism through anime and figurines. Even more concerning is the phenomenon of hikikomori—individuals who have withdrawn entirely from society, with some not leaving their homes since high school.

Faced with these contrasts, one might reconsider the balance between the struggles of a developing country, where people fight daily for survival, and a developed society that seems to be slowly fading into inertia. Would one prefer the vibrant chaos of Manila’s streets or the quiet despair of a declining Japan?

That said, Osaka is a fantastic city to live in—if one has the time and financial freedom to enjoy it. The sheer number of restaurants and bars is staggering, enough to visit a different one every day for over a decade. It’s also incredibly safe and bike-friendly, with a well-structured grid layout unlike Tokyo’s sprawl. Traffic regulations are relatively relaxed, making exploration easy and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, my own experience was largely confined to working from my hotel room. Without work, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the trip in the first place, so it’s a trade-off.

What stood out most to me was the current state of Japanese society. The older generation seems to go through the motions of daily life, their only real social outlet being monthly nomikai—drinking sessions with colleagues. Given the stagnant economy, this is often all they can afford. Gone are the days of the 1980s and early 90s, when disposable income allowed for frequent travel and luxury shopping.

The younger generation appears even more resigned to their urban routines, lacking curiosity about the world. The English-learning booms of Nova and Aeon in the early 2000s signaled an interest in expanding global perspectives, but that enthusiasm seems to have faded. Now, multiple generations exist in the present moment, adhering to whatever consumerist trends they can still afford while maintaining their disciplined collectivism.

I couldn’t ignore the subtle resentment when introducing myself and my Filipina wife. The veneer of politeness often cracks, revealing underlying frustrations. Many Japanese citizens find themselves trapped in rigid work schedules with limited financial means to travel, all while watching waves of foreign tourists take advantage of the weak yen to indulge in experiences they can’t afford themselves.

Economic data further highlights this shift. In absolute terms, Japan’s wealth now stands at just over 50% of that of the United States and is significantly below the EU average. Adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), Japan remains at about 75% of U.S. wealth, roughly on par with the EU. While efficiency and occasional pockets of opulence persist in large cities, sustaining this society is becoming increasingly costly.

It seems inevitable that Japan will reach a breaking point. The only real questions are when and how.

Japanese social culture can feel austere and emotionally distant. Among the world's most insular cultures, Japan often verges on self-imposed isolation. After my time there, I found myself relieved to board a plane back to Vietnam.

A virtual right-wing civil war has broken out over race, class, immigration and the future of President-elect Trump's movement, and Musk is increasingly at odds with Trump's historic base. It's white nationalists versus Tech Bros. A populist coalition led by billionaires is absurd, and so absurdity is unavoidable in its internal squabbles. During his first term, Trump issued a temporary freeze on H-1B visas and later issued new restrictions on the H-1B program, though some of these rules were later struck down in court. Some supporters of President-elect Trump are now turning on Musk and the tech bros Trump has tapped for key administration roles.

The fight exposes one of the MAGA movement's deepest contradictions: It came to prominence chiefly via the white, less-educated, working class but is now under the full control of billionaire technologists and industrialists, many of them immigrants.

While some want to make America great by restricting immigration and promoting the American worker, others want to cut costs and increase efficiency no matter who does the work.

The skirmishes started Sunday when Trump named venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as his adviser on AI policy.

Krishnan's appointment triggered an anti-Indian backlash on social media, particularly given his past advocacy for lifting caps on green cards.

Vivek Ramaswamy escalated the conflict into a full-blown war with a post on X blaming an American culture that "venerated mediocrity over excellence" for the growth in foreign tech workers.

In some recent years, as many as 75% of those petitioning for that visa came from India, from where Ramaswamy's parents immigrated.

Elon Musk condemned a segment of the MAGA movement as "contemptible fools" who should be purged from the Republican Party in a social media post Friday. 

So basically there’s a huge racial divide between Indians and White Americans right now and it’s about H1-B visas. White Trumpers are throwing out Indian slurs and saying they can’t get tech jobs, while Indians are saying American culture is cooked because they value football, jocks, video games, and musicians over inventors and coders. It’s Silicon Valley MAGAs vs Redneck MAGAs. 

Ramaswamy can’t say unfettered, skilled immigration is good for multinational corporations and the gross domestic product—which it is—so he falls back on great power competition with China as the justification for precisely the exact policies the globalist fat cats want.

And I think it’s hilarious that the MAGA nationalists immediately recognized the sales pitch for what it is. American culture is literally the reason all of those immigrants want to come here, because those immigrants understand better than native Americans that Americans are willing to pay for excellence. Ramawamy’s definition of excellence is deliberately narrow and tailored to the kind of workers his master thinks are essential.  But the Haitian workers in Springfield, Ohio, are just as dedicated to professional excellence. Yet the Silicon Valley bros were okay with calling them cat-eaters because they can’t use warehouse or auto parts laborers. Heck, some of them would be happy to automate those jobs out of existence.

MAGA vs. Musk: Right-wing critics allege censorship, loss of X badges

A handful of conservative critics of Elon Musk are alleging censorship and claiming they were stripped of their verification badges on X after challenging his views on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. Conservatives have long blamed "shadow bans" for censoring them on social media even when there hasn't been explicit proof. However, Musk's X has often been hailed by conservatives as a bastion of free speech.

Trump's conspiracy-minded ally Laura Loomer, New York Young Republican Club president Gavin Wax and InfoWars host Owen Shroyer all said their verification badges disappeared after they criticized Musk's support for H-1B visas, railed against Indian culture and attacked Ramaswamy, Musk's DOGE co-chair.

The schism may force Trump to ultimately take sides between the largely white, working-class supporters who first made MAGA succeed, and the techno-libertarian billionaires like Musk who are at the center of his new administration.

What made poor working class people believe billionaires cared about them. He told them I don’t care about you I just want your vote what more is there to say to the people who voted for him.

He can probably finesse his way out of this particular “MAGA Civil War.” And this isn’t necessarily the most important fault line—it’s just the first of many. To govern is to choose. When campaigning you can promise everything and anything to everybody. But when you’re setting policy, one group wins and another loses. And it’s going to be particularly popcorn-worthy watching Vice President-elect J.D. Vance try to stay the Golden Boy for both the winners and the losers while never disagreeing with Trump (or Musk). 

The fact that some of Trump’s hardcore base literally believes him to be a prophet of God is constantly being overlooked. It DOESN’T MATTER to them what he does, good or bad for us in this life, because they think the end times are imminent, and he’s an instrument of God sent to bring about the second coming of Jesus. Nevermind their disregard for the teachings of Jesus. It will never make sense.

From where I sit, this is just another chapter in the long story of people convincing themselves that Trump is wholly. His promises served their intended purpose: getting him in the White House. The joke is on the people who believed him. on their side only to discover he’s not and never will be. Since these aren’t my monkeys and this is not my circus, I’m happy to watch them all duke it out.

Actually, it's just the western-aligned (mostly European) car industry. The problem isn't China, it's the legacy manufacturers not providing a range of choice and the electric vehicles on offer are over priced.

The UK is the perfect example of right-wing ideas

My overall assessment of the country and its women was lackluster. Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon has undergone significant transformation, evidenced by an increase in vehicular traffic and the emergence of high-end shopping complexes. This influx of capital has subsequently attracted some designer labels and expensive clubs. So lets take a closer look. 

Alert: It has become increasingly prevalent for female club promoters to solicit male patrons under the pretense of a date, aiming to persuade them to reserve a table or purchase a bottle, from which they receive a commission. This has occurred to several acquaintances of mine who arrived at the place believing they were meeting for a date, only to find the female accompanied by numerous other bewildered males under the same pretense. It exists in an ambiguous gray region, and I am acquainted with some of the women involved who adeptly navigate the boundary between flirtation and plausible deniability, ensuring they do not appear to have misled you. Most typical Vietnamese women prefer that you take the initiative; so, if she directs you to a particular location, it is unequivocally a warning sign.

The Women
Let’s be real—Vietnamese women didn’t quite match the hype for me. Their appearances lean toward the understated: pale complexions, petite builds, and a reserved demeanor. While some men might find their shyness and simplicity endearing, I prefer women with more vivacity and flair.

The language barrier was an issue. Even a basic question like, “How much is this?” in English often drew blank stares—yes, even from retail workers. Proficiency in English improves slightly with the younger generation, but don’t expect smooth communication unless you’ve mastered some Vietnamese.

Despite their initial timidness, Vietnamese women can become fiercely attached—sometimes to a stalker-like degree. Their devotion can be heartwarming or overwhelming, depending on your perspective. They’re also naturally nurturing; one woman even wanted to take me to the hospital when I had an eye infection! If you're looking for a serious relationship, Vietnam has strong contenders.

Living Costs
Vietnam is delightfully affordable, even by Southeast Asian standards. My flat in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) cost just $300 per month, including utilities. Daily meals from local food stalls—pho, bun bo hue, or com suon—set me back only $1–$2. Even beer is a steal at 35 cents a pint. Gas for my motorbike? A mere $2 a week.

Outside the tourist zones, costs drop significantly. If you’re savvy and stick to local spots, your wallet will thank you. However, Saigon, the most cosmopolitan city, is pricier than rural areas or even Hanoi, which still clings to its traditional roots.

City Life in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon is a whirlwind of activity, with scooters zipping past in organized chaos. The city has seen rapid modernization since my last visit, with high-end shopping malls and luxury brands now staking their claim in District 1. Yet, outside this cosmopolitan bubble, much of the city remains the same—a charming, chaotic mix of traditional and modern life.

I stayed in the Lancaster Serviced Apartments in District 1, which I highly recommend. Serviced apartments offer flexibility—cook if you want, entertain in the living room, and enjoy separate bedrooms for privacy. Plus, the location was excellent, with a lively side street of bars and restaurants just outside.

All areas in D1 are pedestrian-friendly, and unlike Singapore, the climate is not excessively hot and humid, preventing excessive perspiration after a short stroll. I prefer serviced apartments over hotels when traveling with friends, as they offer greater flexibility. You may cook if desired, as there is an adequate living room area for socializing and pre-drinking. Most importantly, you can invite women for an afterparty while maintaining separate private bedrooms to escort your companion(s) without disrupting the remainder of the gathering, unlike a hotel room where you would need to expel other guests. The apartments were tranquil, the staff was amiable, and the location was excellent, featuring a charming side street of bars and restaurants at your doorstep. We typically commenced our evening in a conventional bar named 5ku Station, located about a block away, where inexpensive beer and quality food are available, which patrons prepare themselves on individual mini BBQ/grill pots.

Vietnamese people often exhibit a tendency to neglect the improvement of their businesses, allowing them to deteriorate without maintenance, akin to their approach to motorbikes—purchasing new ones and operating them until they irreparably fail after 15 years, without ever servicing or cleaning them. The city resembles a polluted wasteland; it is essentially comparable to a developing nation, lacking an operational metro system, although efforts are on to establish one.

Nightlife: From Glitz to Grit
Saigon’s nightlife is as diverse as its people. Here are my top picks:

• Xu Bar: A sophisticated hotspot for well-heeled expats and locals. Conversations flowed easily, and the crowd was lively yet approachable.
  
• Blanchy’s Lounge: A quieter alternative next to Xu, perfect for intimate chats or picking up where Xu left off.
  
• Apocalypse Now: A gritty, late-night club with an eclectic mix of characters. While the sex workers dominate on weeknights, it’s still a fun spot for drinks and banter.
  
• Go2 Bar: Located in the backpacker district, this is your go-to for a late-night, boozy adventure. Be wary of the sneaky “no change” tactics here!
  
• Chill Sky Bar: Upscale with stunning views but subdued midweek. Save this for a weekend splurge.
  

1. Learn Some Vietnamese: It’ll go a long way in navigating daily life and connecting with locals.
   
2. Be Cautious with “Dates”: Some club promoters feign interest to get you to splurge on a table or bottle service. Know the signs!
   
3. Stay Central: District 1 is pedestrian-friendly and offers the best mix of convenience and vibrancy.