[Jonty30]

I’m in agreement that Russia doesn’t have the capability of becoming a high tech nation on its own. At the very least, everything we have would be developed much more crudely in Russsia, but so what?

How was life in the 1950’s in America, when America also lacked 21st century technology. Were Americans suffering from not having it or were Americans fine with its absence?

I think Russia would be fine if it developed 1950’s level standard of living.

[Antioch]

“At the very least everything we have would be developed much more crudely in Russia”

[ansel12]

“””I think Russia would be fine if it developed 1950’s level standard of living.”””

I understand what you are thinking but the best of Russia’s young and creative people and the accomplished and advanced people would not want to live in and devote their lives and energies to a frozen, stagnant society when so many cutting-edge countries with large budgets and investment opportunities and high standards of living are begging for them and offering them the paths to test their potential to the limits.

Russia would have to resort to forcing their best to stay, just as in the past, the world would not be allowed to tempt them away.

[adorno]

How was life in the 1950’s in America, when America also lacked 21st century technology.

Uh??? Check your history.

The whole world was lacking in technology, especially after WW2.

America became the technological center of the world, right after WW2 and up to now. The whole world became dependent on what American ingenuity produced. The world still depends on the U.S., including (believe it or not) China and Russia and even Europe. There is hardly anything that made the world better in the 20th century that Americans didn't have a hand in. And, it's American ingenuity that won WW2.

You need to go back in history and study up.