И удивляться здесь, право, товарищи, нечему. Такая она уж слепая, глухая уродина, Ну а любить-то мне больше и нечего." which roughly translates to, for those who don't read Russian, "I hate my homeland as well as I love it, and it's really not that surprising. She's a blind and deaf freak, but I really have nothing else to love". On a more serious note, I've left about half a decade ago, and it seems that Russia is just heading towards a point of no return, with a cult of Putin's personality being plastered all over the walls. A fair few of my friends, those who had the opportunity, of course, had also moved to the West, to Russian enclaves like Brighton Beach, for example. I've been there a year or two back, and it feels like I've traveled back into the 90s, even though I was too young to remember anything back then. I have friends in Boston, Toronto, and Frankfurt who have moved just a few years after I did, and they do not regret their decision. Quick question - what makes you stay there? Is it friends/family, financial situation, or just a lack of opportunity to move places?I like Russia - as much as the abused may like the abuser.
There is a song by the Russian band Nol', not sure if you've heard it or not, but I remember this one verse from it: "Как ненавижу, так и люблю свою Родину
Not to attack the point in any way - from what I understand, people feel the same of the US - at least, Mark Manson does. Might it have something in common? The two countries were considered superpowers at one point, after all, and are still looked at during major events (often because they cause the ripples). Finances and lack of real-life knowledge. I used to think that if I had enough money, I'd leave right away (I still do, but with understanding of how silly it sounds). Once I figure myself and my ground out and once I find myself with enough resources to travel and live somewhere freely enough, I'll at least give leaving a thought. Can't see what's to stop me, though, at least right now.it seems that Russia is just heading towards a point of no return
what makes you stay there?
If by "common" you mean that both are losing their relevance, perceived or real, on the world stage, then I'd probably agree with you. The similarities don't go all that far, however, because the U.S. is still, in my opinion at least, a superpower. It's the world's largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, and loses only to China when compared to other countries by GDP based on PPP ($17.63 trillion vs $17.41 trillion), while still beating China by a huge margin in GDP per capita ($54,678 in the US versus $12,893 in China). It also has the world's most powerful military, something to do with the $577 billion it spends on it each year, I reckon. Point is, I'm not really sure if we can say that the U.S. is not a superpower in this day and age. Now, I largely agree with the article by Mark Manson you linked. Personally, I tend to dislike the United States, and I wouldn't want to move there (I happened to rather like the frozen wasteland that is Canada where I reside at the moment). However, as much as I dislike the U.S., I dislike Russia way, way more. Some people say that the States cause a lot more instability in the world than the Russian Federation does, but the thing is, the reason RF is behind the US in this regard is definitely not for the lack of trying. Rather, it just doesn't have the resources anymore, not having a strong enough economy which is dependant on something other than crude oil exports. Moving is a tough process, in some regards. It doesn't help if you have a family. There are always options for those who seek emigration, however. It helps if you have work contacts outside of the country, a dual citizenship (how are things with that, by the way? does Russia still support dual citizenship?), or simply a particular set of skills that can easily get you a job anywhere in the world. From your post, I gather that you study in TUSUR, which is quite a marketable position.Might it have something in common?
I used to think that if I had enough money, I'd leave right away
Whether the US is still a superpower - I'm in no position to argue on the matter - it looks rather crippled, what's with its massive debt which even the in-country people are aware of to a great extent (which is to say, it's not a typical Russian anti-US propaganda piece of which there are plenty at the time). Why do you dislike the US? Why do you dislike Russia? Is there something you dislike in Canada as strongly as you do things in the aforementioned countries? I hope to attain at least some contacts while I study because my field of education has to do with languages and translation. And no, I study in TSU; TUSUR is near, I go by the thing often enough. I have my eyes set on either the US, Britain or Germany at the moment, given that my second language is German (and I might learn some more with time). As far as I know, Vladimir Pozner - a prominent Russian journalist - maintains both his Russian and US' citizenship (possibly French, too); I'm not aware of anyone else doing so, though.