timelets

I think I'll stop discussing Russian affairs here for a while. In my opinion, the country is seriously on the wrong track and most likely our paths will not intersect in the near future. Over the last year I spent some mental energy on Russia-related projects that ended up nowhere because of the choices Putin & Co had made recently, including the annexation of Crimea and boneheaded economic policies introduced in its aftermath.

To me, it makes no sense to spend any intellectual effort on exploring the specifics of the latest epidemic of Russian idiocy, whether it relates to Russia's actions in Ukraine or disastrous economic policies within the borders of Russia proper. As Varlam Shalamov once said, Лагерь — отрицательный опыт, отрицательная школа, растление для всех — для начальников и заключенных, конвоиров и зрителей, прохожих и читателей беллетристики. As a "зритель и прохожий" I don't want any part of this useless experience.

We didn't manage to prevent the disaster. Now would be a good time to step away from the muddy shore and do something useful back home until the waters of the current collective madness subside.

Cheers!