[Verginius Rufus]

What a messed up society. Russia might never recover from Communism.

My impression is that it was a pretty messed-up society before the Bolsheviks took over (mostly based on 19th-century Russian novels I have read).

Karl Marx had only contempt for Russia (either because of its backwardness or because they were Slavs).

[Paul R.]

My impression is that it was a pretty messed-up society before the Bolsheviks took over (mostly based on 19th-century Russian novels I have read).

The actual history will lead to the same conclusion in a much more compelling way. :-(

It's really interesting to follow Russian vlog'ers who are just ordinary people, not trying to be travel agents or anything. Most Russians are really poor, the young tend to really resent it, but feel hopeless for any change in Russia, resulting in a brain drain of the more ambitious as they leave for Western countries. A common reply to the question of "Why don't Russians smile" is "There's nothing to smile about." (That brings to mind a song by Michael Been and The Call...) (GREAT tune, but not one to listen to too often!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DD1r2fhtc

[9YearLurker]

Yeah, Marx is a reliable reference.