An American tourist in Russia
Maria Kondorskaya 
I’ve just watched Billy Bob’s last video featuring Ian and I have something to say about Russia, China, India, Lenin and Stalin who were mentioned. I believe there is no such thing as democratic, communist or socialist countries. There are just countries with their unique cultures that have some central, pivotal ideas. For example, the … Read more
Earlier this month we revisited Yerevan, Armenia, for Ian’s visa run. One evening we went to see a show of dancing fountains. You must know what it is: a colorful show when water flows to a tune and their are light effects too. Ian made some ironic comments about too many soundtracks from Hollywood movies … Read more
The other day I briefly met an old Soviet dissident who left the USSR for the USA and now left the USA for Russia. I’ve never met this guy before and probably will never see him again. The event that brought us together didn’t imply that we must be friends or even talk, so we … Read more
Whenever I see how likes/dislikes/reactions mushroom under a fresh post from a popular blogger on a popular platform, I think of a Petri dish with some primitive life form floating in it (bacteria, fungi, amoeba, etc.) and a person adding, say, sugar. All the single-celled creatures rush for food. They are highly-motivated, eager and, I dare say, happy in their single-celled way. None of them is depressed, preoccupied or anxious. They are unanimous in their rush for food. They are busy.
Before I start, let me clarify something: there is no specific economic concept that I wholeheartedly support and I don’t consider myself a communist. On the other hand, capitalism has proved to be less than perfect, to put it mildly. Truth is probably elsewhere or in between. Let’s start with my brand new axiom (it … Read more