«You know what the greatest tragedy is in the whole world?» said Ginger, not paying him the least attention. «It’s all the people who never find out what it is they really want to do or what it is they’re really good at. It’s all the sons who become blacksmiths because their fathers were blacksmiths. It’s all the people who could be really fantastic flute players who grow old and die without ever seeing a musical instrument, so they become bad ploughmen instead. It’s all the people with talents who never even find out. Maybe they are never even born in a time when it’s even possible to find out.»
She took a deep breath. «It’s all the people who never get to know what it is they can really be. It’s all the wasted chances.»
«Moving Pictures» by Terry Pratchett
Okay, after writing that posting about «Russian Science vs Russian Oil», I thought I was done, but I realized that I forgot one thing. And that is: Damn it, Putin, do you really not know the strengths of your country?
I mean, seriously, Russia is … unique. No matter the time period, Russian perspective is something to take into account. And yeah, I get that Russia gets nervous if Ukraine might join NATO, but seriously, you had the chance to re-imagine what Russia means. In the sense of taking the best Russian’s are capable of, and making them apart of the 21st century, instead of having them barge into the 21st century with an early 20th century mindset.
Yeah, the Soviet Union was an … institution, but that is long gone. What can you make now? What new thing? And yeah, even if it’s a conservative thing. Even if it’s a meritocratic thing.
Just re-imagine what Russia can be.
There is a lot there.
