October 8, 2019
Not all that long ago, the Soviet Union had the world’s second largest economy. Now Russia ranks around 12th, comparable in size to Spain. Even adding back all the former Soviet states doesn’t change much. Within the EU, as currently constituted, Germany, France, Britain and Italy all have larger economies (although England is thinking of shrinking its economy with some outside help from, ahem). Canada has a larger economy. Mexico has about as many people.
So, by all rights, we shouldn’t be talking all that much about Russia. But still we are. In a negative way. Mainly because the Mother Country cannot seem to kick the national penchant for schadenfreude, and for being spoilers. When the “jackass” type of videos (e.g. laughing at people who nearly kill themselves in stunts gone wrong) became ubiquitous, I was surprised at how many seemed to come from Russia. Someone stupid! Very stupid! Har! Har! Har! Really hurt self! Almost die! Har! Har!
We see the same thing on the geopolitical stage. As if destabilizing everybody else somehow floats the Russian boat.
Come on, Russia, the world needs you, but not that way. Get hold of all that brain power we know you have and use it to help – instead of trying to feel better about yourself by bringing everybody else down.
M.O.E.
M.I.C.H. Modernity, Intelligence, Complexity, Humanity