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Try looking at the history of Brazil. It has always been a land of "foreigners" exactly like Russia.
May be you are the one who needs history lesson. Russia has totally different history comparably to Brazil. It's the "Old World" country, ( although Russia is somewhat younger than other European nations,) it has never been anybody's colony ( unlike Brazil) and it has never been the "land of foreigners" whatever that means.
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Don't tell me all your great scientists and thinkers were all pure 100% native ethnic Russians now.
No, some of them were of foreign ( namely German) origin. Somewhere in the 18th century ( that is starting from the times of Peter The Great) quite a few Europeans moved to Russia; some by invitation of tzars, and some were simply later born on the territory of then Russian Empire - namely Baltic Germans.
Since Russian and German nobility were closely intertwined, if you look at this long list of Russian scientists, you'll notice quite a few German names there, particularly in earlier Imperial times. Later German last names were not necessarily indicating German origin; just the fact that one of the ancestors in Russian family had German origin most likely ( unless we are talking about Jews, whose last names often sound German as well.) But for every German name on this list of scientists you'll find five Russian names. I hope this clears the confusion on your part; you can check the background of each and every scientist on this list. ( The list is rather long, so be patient. )
There are few countries in the world that have benefited as much from "foreigners" than Russia.
The only other country probably that benefited from the presence of German scientists were the United States, but that happened in much later period in history. (They did get some Russian scientists too though; just an example; )
But this is not a recent occurrence though. Again, you really need a quick history lesson. Slavic people have been immigrating to Brazil (and the rest of South America) for a pretty long time now, think hundreds of years.
From what I remember - mostly Ukrainians; there are plenty of them in Canada as well. Brazil ( and other countries of North and South America) might have received some chunk of "White Russian" emigration after 1917; there were over two million of them after collapse of the Russian Empire and change in the government, although most resettled in Europe I imagine. But then again Germans were resettling in those places too, when political regime in their country changed as well ( I am talking Hitler's and post- Hitler's times.) So not an unusual story.
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It seems like people have been wanting to escape from Eastern Europe for centuries.
Not really; it depends who, when and where. Don't forget that Eastern Europe had large Jewish population as well, that was confined behind the "Pale of Settlement." They'd be the first ones willing to leave and I can't blame them for that.
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I already know the rest of Europe is swarming with Slavic immigrants,
I am not sure what "Slavic immigrants" are you talking about exactly. I've heard that there are a lot of Poles looking for jobs in Europe, which is still a mystery to me, if their economy is doing so well as it's claimed to be. As for Russians - they need to get visas in order to make it to those countries, which is not easy to obtain.
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and I heard Russian people are seen as like the Mexicans of Estonia or something.
Lol no, they are hated there because when Baltic countries went their own way after the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russians who still remained there from Soviet times are regarded as the leftovers of the occupying force, that Russia indeed was after the WWII.
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I think you have just described Communist Cuba right there. It is also technically a "second world" country if we use that worthless outdated system," even though Cuba is far less developed than most other Latin American countries.
When the "second world" terminology has been used back in the day, you had to share more with the "first world" than just "socialist approach" in terms of distribution; you had to be able to produce the first-class science; can Cuba do that on her own, without ( the former) support of the Russians?
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And doesn't come close to the development of the say Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, and yes Brazil.
Well may be there are some merits they still see in their system ( comparably to alternatives) that makes them stubbornly hold on to it.
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I think I might have too look that up myself then. I really want to see how much better off the country was during those good old Soviet days.
There are more than "figures" you know to a bigger picture; figures alone do not describe the loss of culture, science, and certain other things that can't be appraised in $$$$$.
Not everything can be ( and neither should be) appraised in $$$$ in this world, you know.
May be you are the one who needs history lesson. Russia has totally different history comparably to Brazil. It's the "Old World" country, ( although Russia is somewhat younger than other European nations,) it has never been anybody's colony ( unlike Brazil) and it has never been the "land of foreigners" whatever that means.
Your history is not very rich compared to the rest of the Old World. Saying that Russia is "somewhat younger" than other European nations is putting it very lightly. Russia was a cultural backwater when compared to Western Europe for most of it's history, so it shouldn't be an outrage to compare it to this side of the world. Don't you know that plenty of Latin American countries had great cities with grand palaces, cathedrals, and fortresses when St. Petersburg was nothing but a swamp. The "New World" is really much older than you think.
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No, some of them were of foreign ( namely German) origin. Somewhere in the 18th century ( that is starting from the times of Peter The Great) quite a few Europeans moved to Russia; some by invitation of tzars, and some were simply later born on the territory of then Russian Empire - namely Baltic Germans.
Since Russian and German nobility were closely intertwined, if you look at this long list of Russian scientists, you'll notice quite a few German names there, particularly in earlier Imperial times. Later German last names were not necessarily indicating German origin; just the fact that one of the ancestors in Russian family had German origin most likely ( unless we are talking about Jews, whose last names often sound German as well.) But for every German name on this list of scientists you'll find five Russian names. I hope this clears the confusion on your part; you can check the background of each and every scientist on this list. ( The list is rather long, so be patient. )
Nice list you got there, it would be good if you could name and separate your greats from the rest. Also, you should try bringing up some of your great cultural figures. From what I know the greatest writer in Russia's history didn't exactly look the average Russian guy. But anyway the point is many different groups of outsiders and foreigners have contributed at least partly to Russia's scientific and cultural achievements. In some of your other comments it seemed like you were trying to suggest or implied that Russia's successes in the past were accomplished in isolation or something to that effect.
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The only other country probably that benefited from the presence of German scientists were the United States, but that happened in much later period in history. (They did get some Russian scientists too though; just an example; )
That is true. But I think the vast majority of Russian scientists that came to the US during that time were ethnic Jews however.
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From what I remember - mostly Ukrainians; there are plenty of them in Canada as well. Brazil ( and other countries of North and South America) might have received some chunk of "White Russian" emigration after 1917; there were over two million of them after collapse of the Russian Empire and change in the government, although most resettled in Europe I imagine. But then again Germans were resettling in those places too, when political regime in their country changed as well ( I am talking Hitler's and post- Hitler's times.) So not an unusual story.
In Brazil, it was mostly the Poles that immigrated. The country has about three million of their descendants. Admittedly though, the Russian population is significantly lower than the Polish one. But you can still some find some Russian-Brazilians among the peasantry in the south.
For example.
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Not really; it depends who, when and where. Don't forget that Eastern Europe had large Jewish population as well, that was confined behind the "Pale of Settlement." They'd be the first ones willing to leave and I can't blame them for that.
For whatever the reason, many people have been eager to escape that region of the world in the past and modern times. I don't blame them either, whether they be Jews or ethnic Slavs. I don't know if Eastern Europe has ever been a very pleasant area to live. How often do you visit?
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I am not sure what "Slavic immigrants" are you talking about exactly. I've heard that there are a lot of Poles looking for jobs in Europe, which is still a mystery to me, if their economy is doing so well as it's claimed to be. As for Russians - they need to get visas in order to make it to those countries, which is not easy to obtain.
I always keep hearing that Western Europe is full of Poles, Albanians, Ukranians, Bulgarians, etc. and all different kind of Slavs. It's like if most of the people there had their way that region of Europe would be mostly void of human population. How many Russians do you think would be leaving the country if those visas were easier to obtain?
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Lol no, they are hated there because when Baltic countries went their own way after the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russians who still remained there from Soviet times are regarded as the leftovers of the occupying force, that Russia indeed was after the WWII.
Or maybe they are hated because they don't assimilate to the host culture, and are just generally very ill-mannered people. They also contribute to most of the crime and diseases in the country. Would that be the Estonian perspective?
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When the "second world" terminology has been used back in the day, you had to share more with the "first world" than just "socialist approach" in terms of distribution; you had to be able to produce the first-class science; can Cuba do that on her own, without ( the former) support of the Russians?
No. Cuba is just a small island in the Caribbean. If not even big bad Russia can do everything without some outside foreign influence, then of course Cuba cannot.
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Well may be there are some merits they still see in their system ( comparably to alternatives) that makes them stubbornly hold on to it.
That's all changing now. Their system is unsustainable, even Fidel Castro himself finally admitted to the flaws of Communism. Capitalism is coming back to Cuba sooner rather than later.
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There are more than "figures" you know to a bigger picture; figures alone do not describe the loss of culture, science, and certain other things that can't be appraised in $$$$$.
Not everything can be ( and neither should be) appraised in $$$$ in this world, you know.
Too bad, money makes the world go round. Without capital you cannot nurture science, culture, and "certain other things". But rather the country will remain in a state of stagnation and deterioration, and your brains and talent go elsewhere. Again, the island of Cuba is a good example of that.
Last edited by Antillano89; 07-25-2013 at 11:09 PM..
Your history is not very rich compared to the rest of the Old World. Saying that Russia is "somewhat younger" than other European nations is putting it very lightly.
No, that's precisely what I've said; Russia is younger than Western European nations, but it does have the rich history never the less.
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Russia was a cultural backwater when compared to Western Europe for most of it's history, so it shouldn't be an outrage to compare it to this side of the world.
Russia was going through different stages of development; at certain point in time it became one of the major players in European affairs and later - one of the major forces in the world affairs ( unlike...South America- should we say? ) so in this respect it's a stretch to compare her to "this side of the world."
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Don't you know that plenty of Latin American countries had great cities with grand palaces, cathedrals, and fortresses when St. Petersburg was nothing but a swamp. The "New World" is really much older than you think.
St. Petersburg was founded only in 1703, the third and the newest capital of Russia. First Russian cities of course older than "grand palaces cathedrals and fortresses" built by colonial powers in the New World.
Besides, "grand palaces" and "fortresses' are not enough to define the weight/importance of the country in world affairs.
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Nice list you got there, it would be good if you could name and separate your greats from the rest.
Then enjoy reading it - the German names are quite easy to distinguish, so you can "separate" them yourself.
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Also, you should try bringing up some of your great cultural figures.
Here are few of them, not sure what you imply by it, exactly.
From what I know the greatest writer in Russia's history didn't exactly look the average Russian guy.
Which one?
Dostoyevsky?
Tolstoy?
Do you even know what you are talking about?
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But anyway the point is many different groups of outsiders and foreigners have contributed at least partly to Russia's scientific and cultural achievements. In some of your other comments it seemed like you were trying to suggest or implied that Russia's successes in the past were accomplished in isolation or something to that effect.
I am not saying that Russian success in the past "has been achieved in isolation," but I disagree with you when you are trying to ascribe Russian success to foreigners. If Russia's success was the strict result of foreign activities, then Russia would have ultimately failed during the WWII.
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In Brazil, it was mostly the Poles that immigrated. The country has about three million of their descendants. Admittedly though, the Russian population is significantly lower than the Polish one. But you can still some find some Russian-Brazilians among the peasantry in the south.
For example.
And your point is?
And how come there are plenty of Germans in those countries as well?
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For whatever the reason, many people have been eager to escape that region of the world in the past and modern times. I don't blame them either, whether they be Jews or ethnic Slavs. I don't know if Eastern Europe has ever been a very pleasant area to live. How often do you visit?
Eastern Europe has never been an easy place to live for a number of reasons, and those reasons are different for Poles, different for Russians, but if I can unify it with the word "politics" - that would be probably the easiest explanation.
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I always keep hearing that Western Europe is full of Poles, Albanians, Ukranians, Bulgarians, etc. and all different kind of Slavs. It's like if most of the people there had their way that region of Europe would be mostly void of human population.
Most likely the economies of these countries are not doing very well? Plus needless to say Eastern Europeans do share a thing or two in common with the population of the third world countries - i.e the corruption might be rampant.
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How many Russians do you think would be leaving the country if those visas were easier to obtain?
Not sure, because ( don't forget) Western Europe can't expand like a rubber ball, there are only so many jobs available and so on. Living in foreign culture is not everyone's cup of tea as well. So leaving and going to those countries is one thing; deciding to stay is another.
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Or maybe they are hated because they don't assimilate to the host culture, and are just generally very ill-mannered people.
Not only that, but they often have very imperial, chauvinistic outlook as well.
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They also contribute to most of the crime and diseases in the country. Would that be the Estonian perspective?
I've never heard that Russians in Baltic countries "contribute to most of the crime and diseases."
"Ill- mannered" - that's the most common complaint.
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No. Cuba is just a small island in the Caribbean. If not even big bad Russia can do everything without some outside foreign influence, then of course Cuba cannot.
Again - you are substituting "the influence" with downright dependence. Example - Russia was influenced by continental Europe in Imperial times in many ways - be that art or science, but Russia could do everything during Soviet times on her own, without "outside foreign influence" and that's what sets her apart from the third world countries.
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That's all changing now. Their system is unsustainable, even Fidel Castro himself finally admitted to the flaws of Communism. Capitalism is coming back to Cuba sooner rather than later.
Communism ( if I am speaking about Russia) had plenty of flaws, and initially, the way I see it, it was rather an emergency measure for Russia to avoid becoming de-facto European colony. They achieved a great deal under that system, they've lost a great deal under that system, and they've learned a lot under it. The ideal situation would be to keep all positive that they've learned and to change and adjust all the negative that was hindering their development. But in no way to sign the rotten deal with the US, World Bank et al.
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Too bad, money makes the world go round.
That's exactly what I'm saying to Americans - that it's really money that govern their country after all, not some "freedom and democracy," and it's time to face the truth. Once the bubble starts deflating, and the primary markets are saturated, what can you do but to go the second round and to use the same scheme in "secondary" markets ( using loosely this term ) let's call this "secondary market" BRIC countries - shall we?) So let's bring there "advanced technology," "make investments," sell, count the profits, make few on top rich, bring standard set of microwaves-coffee-makers in every household, let's put MacDonald's on every corner and then what? Not much, really, nothing is going to happen to bring the solution to collapsing "primary markets." There was no break-through in technology there for quite some time already ( comparably to the previous century,) and all what BRIC countries are capable of - is basically regurgitating science and technology that the West let them on to. The big bad Russia was the only country basically, that was capable to compete with the West on her own, coming up with new ideas, keeping everyone on the edge, making work everyone harder and to be more inventive. That's when the steam-engine of the world was rolling, that's when discoveries have been made, that's when people were competing in space, and that's when even James Bond movies had its spice, instead of becoming a drab as it is today, without the "Russian evil." So basically, getting rid of competitor the US killed the golden goose that was laying the golden eggs, lol.
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Without capital you cannot nurture science, culture, and "certain other things".
Well guess what - the presence of capital does not guarantee you the development of science, as much as you'd like to nurture it, because "certain things" - namely talent - can't be bought with money. It's something people are born with. Or not.
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But rather the country will remain in a state of stagnation and deterioration, and your brains and talent go elsewhere.
Again, the island of Cuba is a good example of that.
See, such definition as "brains and talent" I've noticed can be used very loosely. Of course you can have plenty of "brainy and talented" people starting their own businesses, buying-selling- making profits and all, but at the end it all comes to this - saturated markets, regurgitated ideas, and bursting bubbles.
No, that's precisely what I've said; Russia is younger than Western European nations, but it does have the rich history never the less.
Russia is really much younger than most of Western Europe, not just "somewhat younger". I just wanted to make that clear. Russia's acculturation came much later than you implied.
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Russia was going through different stages of development; at certain point in time it became one of the major players in European affairs and later - one of the major forces in the world affairs ( unlike...South America- should we say? ) so in this respect it's a stretch to compare her to "this side of the world."
If you don't believe the region of Latin America was a major player in "European affairs" then you simply don not know Europe's history. This region has played a huge role in in that continent. Don't they teach you guys any European history back in the East?
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St. Petersburg was founded only in 1703, the third and the newest capital of Russia. First Russian cities of course older than "grand palaces cathedrals and fortresses" built by colonial powers in the New World.
Besides, "grand palaces" and "fortresses' are not enough to define the weight/importance of the country in world affairs.
You don't get it. The point is the "New World" is not very new at all. Long before those colonial powers came over here the Native Americans already had their own great civilizations that actually did grow in relative isolation, unlike the civilizations of Europe. That's very impressive in my opinion.
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Then enjoy reading it - the German names are quite easy to distinguish, so you can "separate" them yourself.
Well, they could be half-German, Jew, or something like that on their mother's side. Who knows? You guys have been very lucky to be surrounded by such bright people.
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Here are few of them, not sure what you imply by it, exactly.
I'm talking about this fellow right here. Don't tell me you don't recognize this face.
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I am not saying that Russian success in the past "has been achieved in isolation," but I disagree with you when you are trying to ascribe Russian success to foreigners. If Russia's success was the strict result of foreign activities, then Russia would have ultimately failed during the WWII.
The truth is most likely somewhere in the middle. I have never said Russia's successes have been 100% due to foreign activities, or anything close to that. Just that many of your cultural achievements historically were greatly influenced by the Western side of your continent.
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And your point is?
And how come there are plenty of Germans in those countries as well?
Like you said, different people have different motivations for immigrating. The German descendants in the New World have a very different status than the Slavs here, both in North and South America.
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Eastern Europe has never been an easy place to live for a number of reasons, and those reasons are different for Poles, different for Russians, but if I can unify it with the word "politics" - that would be probably the easiest explanation.
I don't see how that's ever going to change. Eastern Europe will never be a nice place to live, honestly. Even the Middle-East seems more welcoming and charming than Eastern Europe. That region is just a very depressing place, no wonder the suicide rates are so high there.
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Most likely the economies of these countries are not doing very well? Plus needless to say Eastern Europeans do share a thing or two in common with the population of the third world countries - i.e the corruption might be rampant.
Yeah, corruption on all levels is rampant in Latin America culture in particular. That's something we might share in common with Eastern Europe. Fortunately, there are countless differences that outweigh any similarities we might have.
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Not sure, because ( don't forget) Western Europe can't expand like a rubber ball, there are only so many jobs available and so on. Living in foreign culture is not everyone's cup of tea as well. So leaving and going to those countries is one thing; deciding to stay is another.
I'm not just talking about immigration to Europe. There are also many Russians migrating to the USA also.
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Not only that, but they often have very imperial, chauvinistic outlook as well.
I find that very funny. From what I seen the Russians in Estonia are in no position to have that kind of pride.
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I've never heard that Russians in Baltic countries "contribute to most of the crime and diseases."
"Ill- mannered" - that's the most common complaint.
That's exactly what I'm saying to Americans - that it's really money that govern their country after all, not some "freedom and democracy," and it's time to face the truth. Once the bubble starts deflating, and the primary markets are saturated, what can you do but to go the second round and to use the same scheme in "secondary" markets ( using loosely this term ) let's call this "secondary market" BRIC countries - shall we?) So let's bring there "advanced technology," "make investments," sell, count the profits, make few on top rich, bring standard set of microwaves-coffee-makers in every household, let's put MacDonald's on every corner and then what? Not much, really, nothing is going to happen to bring the solution to collapsing "primary markets." There was no break-through in technology there for quite some time already ( comparably to the previous century,) and all what BRIC countries are capable of - is basically regurgitating science and technology that the West let them on to. The big bad Russia was the only country basically, that was capable to compete with the West on her own, coming up with new ideas, keeping everyone on the edge, making work everyone harder and to be more inventive. That's when the steam-engine of the world was rolling, that's when discoveries have been made, that's when people were competing in space, and that's when even James Bond movies had its spice, instead of becoming a drab as it is today, without the "Russian evil." So basically, getting rid of competitor the US killed the golden goose that was laying the golden eggs, lol.
Nice rant. You're not a big fan of the USA, are you?
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Well guess what - the presence of capital does not guarantee you the development of science, as much as you'd like to nurture it, because "certain things" - namely talent - can't be bought with money. It's something people are born with. Or not.
No, not exactly. But you can most definitely buy some talent. The wealthier countries attract the intelligentsia from poorer countries all the time. Without any capital backing the talented people have nothing to work with. Have you ever heard of the "brain drain"?
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See, such definition as "brains and talent" I've noticed can be used very loosely. Of course you can have plenty of "brainy and talented" people starting their own businesses, buying-selling- making profits and all, but at the end it all comes to this - saturated markets, regurgitated ideas, and bursting bubbles.
It's not just about marketing your ideas. Without financial backing you cannot develop your ideas in the first place. What would be of the Soviet Union's technological advances without the government subsidizing it?
Last edited by Antillano89; 07-26-2013 at 09:30 PM..
Russia is really much younger than most of Western Europe, not just "somewhat younger". I just wanted to make that clear. Russia's acculturation came much later than you implied.
It all depends what you call "acculturation."
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If you don't believe the region of Latin America was a major player in "European affairs" then you simply don not know Europe's history. This region has played a huge role in in that continent. Don't they teach you guys any European history back in the East?
They do, ( used to at least teach European history quite thoroughly,) just not the history of colonies so much. ( Well, except for the US may be.)
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You don't get it. The point is the "New World" is not very new at all. Long before those colonial powers came over here the Native Americans already had their own great civilizations that actually did grow in relative isolation, unlike the civilizations of Europe. That's very impressive in my opinion.
That I know, it's just those older civilizations are not relevant to modern world.
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Well, they could be half-German, Jew, or something like that on their mother's side. Who knows? You guys have been very lucky to be surrounded by such bright people.
Bright people usually like to deal with the bright ones as well.
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You sure do love that Wikipedia.
I'm talking about this fellow right here. Don't tell me you don't recognize this face.
Gosh he is not a writer ( that's what confused me,) - I mean he is, but he is known first of all as a poet.
And since I do like Wikipedia ( this way I can skip all the hassle of typing) here is another link about him,
The truth is most likely somewhere in the middle. I have never said Russia's successes have been 100% due to foreign activities, or anything close to that. Just that many of your cultural achievements historically were greatly influenced by the Western side of your continent.
Part of Russian culture is really the refinement and perfection of "things European," but it's only a part of it, not unanimously accepted over there. Don't forget that the argument between the "Westernizers" and "Slavophiles" in Russia never really came to an end, as it has been mentioned in one of the links on Russian philosophers I've left earlier.
Like you said, different people have different motivations for immigrating. The German descendants in the New World have a very different status than the Slavs here, both in North and South America.
It is quite normal, if you look at Germany's status in the modern world, vs Russia's status.
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I don't see how that's ever going to change. Eastern Europe will never be a nice place to live, honestly. Even the Middle-East seems more welcoming and charming than Eastern Europe.
Errmm... no, sorry - you can have the whole Middle East for yourself if it looks "inviting" to you)))
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That region is just a very depressing place, no wonder the suicide rates are so high there.
I never knew that Greenland was located in Eastern Europe though...
Yeah, corruption on all levels is rampant in Latin America culture in particular. That's something we might share in common with Eastern Europe. Fortunately, there are countless differences that outweigh any similarities we might have.
I've already explained why the US preferred to invest in other BRIC countries, while keeping Russia dismantled.
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I'm not just talking about immigration to Europe. There are also many Russians migrating to the USA also.
The economy there is basically destroyed, the government is corrupt (being connected by umbilical cord to Western banking,) so the mass immigration is only natural.
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I find that very funny. From what I seen the Russians in Estonia are in no position to have that kind of pride.
Old habits are dying hard; Estonia used to be a small provincial region of the Russian Empire)))
No, I didn't know about that, ( I just don't follow the news from that region too much,) but Estonians should have known better and keep their occupying force busy.
"But says HIV consultant, Deniss Naumov, there is not enough being done to tackle the residing social problems that lead to drug abuse.
"They have nowhere to go, that's why it's happening like this. Previously, you could take sports classes for free, but nowadays you have to pay for everything. Most people just lack opportunities," Naumov said."
Estonians hope in vain that the problem will just disappear on its own, and apparently they are dead wrong.
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Nice rant. You're not a big fan of the USA, are you?
No, not in particular, but I'm sure that my opinion is not quite unique and that my "rant" has been appreciated by some readers.
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No, not exactly. But you can most definitely buy some talent. The wealthier countries attract the intelligentsia from poorer countries all the time. Without any capital backing the talented people have nothing to work with. Have you ever heard of the "brain drain"?
Sure, "brain drain" is precisely what's happening to Russia since the nineties. It used to be a powerhouse of science, and once destroyed, a lot of Russian scientists were forced to move to the West, many of them - to the US. But that's precisely what was designed in the nineties I suppose.
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It's not just about marketing your ideas. Without financial backing you cannot develop your ideas in the first place. What would be of the Soviet Union's technological advances without the government subsidizing it?
Without "financial backing" you can't not only to develop science, but to get your next meal, however your meal still might be of different variety served in different settings. In the same manner, Russians were developing their science, even when they didn't have appropriate toilet paper, or rather had shortage of it.
Then, again, Saudi Arabia ( for example) has all the money in the world, yet for some strange reason or the other, with all "financial backing" it can't develop the science.
The point here - is what comes first, spiritual or material, and in a strange twist of fate, now the US firmly represents "the material," while Russia - "the spiritual."
Russians became "civilized" much later than most Western Europeans, not too far off from the "New World" time-wise. That's what I'm trying to get across.
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They do, ( used to at least teach European history quite thoroughly,) just not the history of colonies so much. ( Well, except for the US may be.)
Now that's a shame. The colonies have played a huge role in the development of modern Europe. The Western world would be very different today if wasn't for the influence of the colonies.
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That I know, it's just those older civilizations are not relevant to modern world.
But they are. The present will always be linked to the past.
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Bright people usually like to deal with the bright ones as well.
Sure. Being surrounded by so many great minds/cultures is the reason for Europe's success historically. It's all about the exchange of ideas.
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Gosh he is not a writer ( that's what confused me,) - I mean he is, but he is known first of all as a poet.
And since I do like Wikipedia ( this way I can skip all the hassle of typing) here is another link about him,
That poetry thing is a literary art so technically that means Pushkin a writer. And I'm aware of his ethnic background, that's why I brought him up.
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It is quite normal, if you look at Germany's status in the modern world, vs Russia's status.
It has nothing to do about Germany or Russia's status in the world. People are not judged by what country they come from over here, but more so by their actions and/or behaviour.
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Errmm... no, sorry - you can have the whole Middle East for yourself if it looks "inviting" to you)))
I wouldn't wanna live in either region even if they paid me a million dollars. It's just that the Middle East seems a little less depressing than Eastern Europe as a whole, just my opinion.
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I never knew that Greenland was located in Eastern Europe though...
Half of the top 20 is made up of Slavic nations(that includes Russia at no. 13). That's pretty bad.
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I've already explained why the US preferred to invest in other BRIC countries, while keeping Russia dismantled.
Of course. The US is always to blame.
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The economy there is basically destroyed, the government is corrupt (being connected by umbilical cord to Western banking,) so the mass immigration is only natural.
I know everything is messed up. That's why I asked about the immigration thing. If they visas were easier to obtain then there I'm sure there would be much more people leaving Russia.
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Old habits are dying hard; Estonia used to be a small provincial region of the Russian Empire)))
That's the cool thing about life. Thing's just always go up and go down. And the underdogs can can always rise up.
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No, I didn't know about that, ( I just don't follow the news from that region too much,) but Estonians should have known better and keep their occupying force busy.
"But says HIV consultant, Deniss Naumov, there is not enough being done to tackle the residing social problems that lead to drug abuse.
"They have nowhere to go, that's why it's happening like this. Previously, you could take sports classes for free, but nowadays you have to pay for everything. Most people just lack opportunities," Naumov said."
Estonians hope in vain that the problem will just disappear on its own, and apparently they are dead wrong.
This seems to be a very serious problem. It looks like many parts of Eastern Europe are struggling with this disease. Do you know how many people in Russia are affected?
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No, not in particular, but I'm sure that my opinion is not quite unique and that my "rant" has been appreciated by some readers.
Not very unique at all. I notice hating on the USA is a national passtime in some countries.
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Sure, "brain drain" is precisely what's happening to Russia since the nineties. It used to be a powerhouse of science, and once destroyed, a lot of Russian scientists were forced to move to the West, many of them - to the US. But that's precisely what was designed in the nineties I suppose.
It's been happening long before that I believe. Even back in those good old Soviet times many people in the Russian scientific, intellectual, and artistic class defected to the West. Here is another Wikipedia list for you.
Without "financial backing" you can't not only to develop science, but to get your next meal, however your meal still might be of different variety served in different settings. In the same manner, Russians were developing their science, even when they didn't have appropriate toilet paper, or rather had shortage of it.
Then, again, Saudi Arabia ( for example) has all the money in the world, yet for some strange reason or the other, with all "financial backing" it can't develop the science.
The point here - is what comes first, spiritual or material, and in a strange twist of fate, now the US firmly represents "the material," while Russia - "the spiritual."
Well, maybe that's why so many people were desperate to leave that place. Having a shortage of toilet paper sounds pretty damn awful, can you imagine? lol That's what happens when all your resources are just focused on one thing. What kind of superpower is that? Is North Korea a superpower now? At least the US had enough the money to support their scientific endeavors, and yet still provide basic needs to the people.
Russians became "civilized" much later than most Western Europeans, not too far off from the "New World" time-wise. That's what I'm trying to get across.
I have no idea what you imply under the world "civilized."
Before Europeans were invited by Russian tzars, Russians had their own civilization for previous seven centuries or so.
Now that's a shame. The colonies have played a huge role in the development of modern Europe. The Western world would be very different today if wasn't for the influence of the colonies.
Sure-sure, they've got so much to learn from the native people of colonial lands, that when Europeans came back, it totally transformed Europe, lol.
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But they are. The present will always be linked to the past.
Depends on whose past and whose present.
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Sure. Being surrounded by so many great minds/cultures is the reason for Europe's success historically. It's all about the exchange of ideas.
If you have no any particular ideas to begin with, what's there is to "exchange?"
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That poetry thing is a literary art so technically that means Pushkin a writer.
Sorry, when you speak about great Russian writers, then Tolstoy and Dostoevsky come to mind, when you speak about famous Russian poets - then Pushkin and Lermontov.
That how it goes, automatically sort of..
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And I'm aware of his ethnic background, that's why I brought him up.
So if you were aware that Pushkin was a great-grand son of an African slave ransomed by Russians, why were you asking about his looks?
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It has nothing to do about Germany or Russia's status in the world. People are not judged by what country they come from over here, but more so by their actions and/or behavior.
I have no idea what "behavior" are you talking about. Judging by the video that you've posted, these are descendants of Russian peasantry that immigrated to Brazil god knows when - most likely after 1917 or if they were Old Believers - even earlier because of religious persecution. And since Russia historically was predominantly agrarian country, ( unlike Germany) of course it defined their places place in the world in a different manner.
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I wouldn't wanna live in either region even if they paid me a million dollars. It's just that the Middle East seems a little less depressing than Eastern Europe as a whole, just my opinion.
You are entitled to it, I'm sure even camels will be smiling at you.
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Half of the top 20 is made up of Slavic nations(that includes Russia at no. 13). That's pretty bad.
Half? Erm no, just three Slavic countries out of twenty, and since neither Lithuania nor Latvia are "Slavic," why their suicide rate is so high when they are free from big bad Russia already for twenty years - that's another mystery to me.
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Of course. The US is always to blame.
Not always, just most of the time.
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I know everything is messed up. That's why I asked about the immigration thing. If they visas were easier to obtain then there I'm sure there would be much more people leaving Russia.
And going where exactly?
As I've already said - "cool" places are not expendable to infinity.
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That's the cool thing about life. Thing's just always go up and go down. And the underdogs can can always rise up.
Actually Estonia (as much as Latvia) didn't mind it; they preferred to be part of Russian Empire instead of being swallowed by Germans. Of course it was a different story around WWII time.
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This seems to be a very serious problem. It looks like many parts of Eastern Europe are struggling with this disease. Do you know how many people in Russia are affected?
Yes, that I know, as much as that they've had outbreaks of some infectious diseases that were eliminated in Soviet times. As I've said - Russia was effectively turned into the third world country.
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Not very unique at all. I notice hating on the USA is a national passtime in some countries.
In your favorite Middle East most likely. Russians spend their national pastime grudging at their own government. That is not to say that anti-American sentiment is not high, particularly when they recall the nineties.
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It's been happening long before that I believe. Even back in those good old Soviet times many people in the Russian scientific, intellectual, and artistic class defected to the West. Here is another Wikipedia list for you.
Did you look at that list yourself? Because if you did, you'd notice right away that there are no Russian scientists there. They were simply not allowed to leave the country. All children were carefully screened during school years by a system of excellent education, then taught in Universities for free and as soon as talented scholars were entering the scientific field pertaining to national interests, they were asked to sign the papers that they'd be not allowed to leave the country. So they were warned about it in advance.
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Well, maybe that's why so many people were desperate to leave that place. Having a shortage of toilet paper sounds pretty damn awful, can you imagine? lol
That's what happens when all your resources are just focused on one thing. What kind of superpower is that?
Absence or presence of toilet paper is not what defines the superpower. I'm sure they have toilets made out of gold somewhere in Brunei, but that doesn't make them a super-power, not does it?
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Is North Korea a superpower now?
North Korea is yet another third world country regurgitating technology developed either in Russia or in the West. Not something that has been discovered/developed by Koreans. So not a super-power, sorry to say.
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At least the US had enough the money to support their scientific endeavors, and yet still provide basic needs to the people.
You are so saucy, I think we should consider making love.
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Russia has totally different history comparably to Brazil. It's the "Old World" country, ( although Russia is somewhat younger than other European nations,) it has never been anybody's colony ( unlike Brazil) and it has never been the "land of foreigners" whatever that means. 
)
) so in this respect it's a stretch to compare her to "this side of the world."
