What has happened to this forum

I agree with you...... but with Covid time.... some people are on the edge!

Expect more of the same, been that way for many years.  #1 rule, don't feed the trolls.

Hello Bukidnonkane.
I can not respond fore everyone else, but I would like to help Ex-pats in my area, (Mactan). I can not comment on US stimulus payments or travel from U.S or europe being an Ex-Aussie but any local information l am happy to share. regards  Bruce

This forum, as with much of the world, has been placed in a state of  disarray.   Hostile interactions are on the rise, and the negative impact that technology has on communication has been magnified by lockdowns and the highest degree of uncertainty for the future experienced in decades.  I admire your desire, helping each other.   But I also understand how emotionally/psychologically fragile the world has become.  It is good that you remind us of the goals of this site.  Perhaps your willingness to present such high standards of behavior can be of purpose to those that have lost perspective, a frequent reaction to stressful situations that accompany uncertainty on such a grand scale.   Disagreement is expected in all walks of life.   But we have become thin so thin-skinned by technologies' anonymous communication, that a heightened level of argumentativeness exists, communication that  a face to face interaction would rarely provoke.

Hi everyone,

I am very sorry to hear that some of you had a terrible experience here.

Well, if there are some hostile comments or have been victim of any form of abuse, please feel free to get in touch with the Expat.com Team by clicking on the link below :
https://www.expat.com/en/contact.html

Also note that we would advise you to report the post directly or the person directly to us and we shall take the necessary measures.

Thanks,

Priscilla
Expat.com Team 

Bukidnonkane wrote:

But if you get offended by what someone says then get over it.  Its one persons opinion.  It doesnt affect your life in any way..

Well. There is a huge difference between different opinions and BS   

IRL I just ignore even bullies almost allways, but such don't function online by ignorings aren't seen so bullies winn, so at internet I anwer back.

- -
NOT related to what I wrote about bullies. Bigpearl and I had a heated disagreement a while, but we have made peace and we even put Likes at each other's posts now 

Blaming technology is a cop out equivalent to "the devil made me do it". Look at old films, read older literature notice the way people treat each other. Now compare to today.

The difference is that civility  (i.e. respect) is no longer a basic expectation.

Technology is just a tool. Inert. No inherent influence.  How a person chooses to use their tools is the difference between making bombs -or butter.

I disagree.  To ignore the influence that technology has on behavior is too narrow and reduces the opportunity to understand the social and physiological behavioral dynamics of technology.  The behavioral influence of technology is well established in the medical literature.  The effect that blue light has on circadian biology,  dialing down of sensitivity to dopamine, the ramping up of addiction pathways,and alteration of brain architecture are not theories, they have been proven.  fMRI real time scans demonstrate the alteration of blood flow patterns in the brain caused by cell phones and screen time.    I certainly agree that ultimately we are responsible for our behavior, denial of environmental influences on behavior is not realistic.

Yes, I agree. Algorithms in social media drive a lot of behavior now and amplify the differences between us. Two different people see completely different information presented to them. Hence more and more polarization.  In addition, the anonymity of online forums allows people to act in ways they never would in person.

Word gymnastics and cognitive bias aside. My larger point was stop blaming, justifying and rationalizing. Bad behavior and bad choices = course discourse and crappy interactions. Time for some accountability.

That's all of my opinion and contribution.

|| OUT ||

You are 100 percent correct. Just so happen a lot of people ares till immature and trying to act as smart as they thought. So just ignore them

I have joined this forum maybe 6 months ago and it soon wore out  its welcome for me. People who post about politics tend to be intolerant of opposing opinions. That is a turnoff for me and why I stopped checking in to this site. I really am not interested in people's political opinions anymore, nor do I wish to be insulted for mine. Does anybody really change their opinion because of the online opinions of others anyway?

As my moving date is approaching, I will probably visit this site more frequently. I know how to duck unwanted conversations and I will enjoy and appreciate the valuable information of those who became an expat before me.

In that regard I have lived here (4th country and the best) for four years. Happy to offer informed opinion if I can help anyone to prepare or adapt.

I will offer two unsolicited bits of advice:

Leave logic or expectation behind. This ain't Kansas Dorothy.

Don't come here and expect to change the Philippines - but do come here open to the Philippines changing you!

There is an individual on this forum that I have seen on another forum? He ruined the other forum and was finally kicked off after being an ass for several months. I didn't read all the posts here, but a lot of people quit the other forum because of him. The other forum is making a comeback now that he and a couple of others were booted out. As long as he is here, I can only wish you good luck. If he is the one and does the same thing as he did on the other forum, I pity everyone here.

Fiveboy

Fiveboy wrote:

Don't come here and expect to change the Philippines - but do come here open to the Philippines changing you!

I love that. Having visited the Philippines often, I feel confidant in knowing what to expect. It will be the logistics of the move, banking, visas and pandemic restrictions that will be my main questions. It is good to know someone actually comes to this forum for the right reason, which is to be helpful for the next guy in line. Thanks.

DukeStamina wrote:

Fiveboy

Fiveboy wrote:

Don't come here and expect to change the Philippines - but do come here open to the Philippines changing you!

I love that. Having visited the Philippines often, I feel confidant in knowing what to expect. It will be the logistics of the move, banking, visas and pandemic restrictions that will be my main questions. It is good to know someone actually comes to this forum for the right reason, which is to be helpful for the next guy in line. Thanks.

i'll just say that visiting and LIVING here are 2 different things, i visited the same village/brngy for 5 years -once or twice a year and was met with smiles all around every time, many good friends ,...after building a house there and retiring in it- ha ha ha- no more smiles and the friends i made over the past 5 years are now back stabbers and rumor mills, thieves and vandals...

Fiveboy wrote:

I will offer two unsolicited bits of advice:

Leave logic or expectation behind. This ain't Kansas Dorothy.

This part I will whole-heartedly agree!  logic will get you no where here, and you will only drive yourself insane talking to yourself since you will be the only person that understands your logic.

Hahaha...Soonretired...Key pointer is "DON'T SPEND A LOT OF MONEY" on anything here...learn to get used to life that can only provide 3rd world infrastructure/
housing/water/wifi/power all of which will be provided to you with a smile & then try to enjoy cheaply whatevers left...still  lots of bargains to be had.
Then watch your overseas investments generate the real returns & watch it grow exponentially.

Soonretired wrote:

Fiveboy wrote:

I will offer two unsolicited bits of advice:

Leave logic or expectation behind. This ain't Kansas Dorothy.

This part I will whole-heartedly agree!  logic will get you no where here, and you will only drive yourself insane talking to yourself since you will be the only person that understands your logic.

I talked with my Filipino business partner about that two days ago after the insainity at business registration three days ago.. (See own topic.) It was so crazy so we laught about it    
BUT I will not be happy if the registration handlers aren't done soon, because we need a business approved soon e g to the buy of the real estate with business so the Deed of sale will be in correct name...

What is the condition of people traveling to Cebu? It's been over a year since I visited my place in Pinamungahan😥

Hi Cynthiavilla. Do you mean from outside the country? We're all on hold right now waiting to get back (I'm in the States), except those married to a Filipino or with a permanent long-term visa. I miss Cebu also. Your province is pretty. Sometimes I used to go through there on my way to Moalboal.

Good Day!

I am just here in Quezon City but where I live is a hotspot for Covid! So traveling to another island will be a challenge;

Yes it is nice in Cebu; I travelled through motorbike around the island; love the market day;

Pinamungan has a sandbar too!

Keep safe and take care!

Cynthiavilla wrote:

Good Day!

I am just here in Quezon City but where I live is a hotspot for Covid! So traveling to another island will be a challenge;

Yes it is nice in Cebu; I travelled through motorbike around the island; love the market day;

Last I looked Metro Manila and Metro Cebu were the only with the HARDEST restrictions.
Around half of the rest of Phils had middle
and the rest had lowest  (as for instance Palawan and South Leyte.)
Although since I looked there have become some more differences between municipalies in same "covid section".   E g Palawan is "free" as long as follow cover rules and don't show illnes symptoms. (Except perhaps they have started demands of quarantine when coming FROM Puerto Princesa to SOME municipalies. They had decided that but postponed so people could get home to the election about if split Palawan or not.)

You will probably appreciate these:

1. Search on Facebook for: @accountabletech
2. The Social Dilemma (good Movie if you are not familiar) + Website: https://www.thesocialdilemma.com
3. Interesting Article (One of mine): https://nakedexpat.com/blog/screen-time … -children/

Kindest regards,
Andrew