Infinite Death, Endless Love

[Vũng Tàu, 8/15/26]

Before I found out her name, I called Nhi “Morose,” but over several conversations, I’ve seen her smile not too rarely. Just 21, Nhi has another year studying logistics, so is understandably worried about her future. A recent internship was a huge waste of time. Her school sent her to some outfit unrelated to her trade. Nhi was just used. “That, too, is a lesson,” I said.

With my encouragement, Nhi and three friends went to Đà Nẵng, Hội An and Huế, her first big trip. Now, they’re contemplating one to Tây Ninh, after shelfing Măng Đen, further away. “You don’t have to go far,” I said. “Tây Ninh is fantastic. Not just the Cao Đài Holy See, the town itself is fantastic. Since it’s right next to Cambodia, consider crossing the border, just to see another country. Don’t spend any money in Bavet’s casinos, however!”

I had urged her to go straight to Phnom Penh, but Bavet, if she goes, will wet her appetite for the foreign. You need to step outside to see more clearly the familiar, or just yourself. It’s not unlike hearing someone talking about your sorry ass, outside your supposed earshot.

During this conversation, I told her about Japan’s hikikomori, China’s “lying flat to take the beating” movement, South Korea’s collapsing birthrate and America’s incels and men going their own way. All these social phenomena are related. I also told Nhi about a Filipino deep fried garbage dish called pagpag, and of Dubai prostitutes eating shit. We’re not just becoming more isolated, but less human. Trump is the most salient example of a shameless beast with all his worst impulses unchecked, and his cult illustrates perfectly America’s descent into wretchedness and insanity. If not so deadly, it would be the greatest show on earth.