#SochiProblems

Double toilets?

Holes in sidewalks?

Terrible translation?

Plastic bottles of gin instead of mineral water?

Broken lifts, no heating and hotel rooms are still not ready?

Russia could seem uncomfortable, weird, hilarious, uncivil, unfriendly, chaotic et cetera. I see!

But the main problem with Sochi Olympics is politics.

Our perception of the Olympic Games is politicized. Our attitude towards Russia is prejudged and politicized. Both domestically and outside Russia.

Scandalous laws, violated human rights, strained relationships with European Union and the USA and also the concept of the Olympic Games in Russia as a confirmation of Russia's global power status. All of that had affected the image of Sochi Olympics.

Many of us do not perceive Sochi Olympics just as sports but as an event that could clear up the image of Russia, improve the brand called "Russia" and impact positively on global politics. This may sound too complicated but still this is the case. The trick is that you sometimes think this way but may not notice it.

The way of thinking I've described could be successful. Unfortunately, Russia's social and political background is negative and misrepresented. This is the reason of too high expectations and different stereotypes and personal opinions (that can transform from personal to public with help of media) that do not correspond to the reality.

Reality is that Russia is not prepared to hold global events perfectly. There are definite domestic reasons why we are unprepared. 

But do not extend your preconceived opinions to all russians. In this case proving that we are not weird, hilarious, uncivil, unfriendly is just senseless and ineffective. This is a simple truth that happens to be beyond somebody's understanding.

Hitler heat.

"He killed approx 11 million people, to include 6 million Jews. If anyone should have their birthday forgotten, it's Adolf Hitler."
Eight days ago this phrase was trending in twitter.
Eight days ago it was the day of Hitler's birth.

The second part of this tweet was considered to be strong and solid. Strange thing, but I can't agree with it.

Of course, this thought is deep enough (although "depth" is not that usual for trending tweets). Forgetting his date of birth means forgetting Hitler himself. As a person who had never had a birthday so he had never existed. An emotional and catchy way to express your hate for A.H.
That phrase got thousands of retweets. These thousands were a solid reminder, not a monotonous "hypnotism" so as we could forget Hitler. Indifference is a more efficient way to forget anything.
But not in that case. I feel that today there is an incredible obsession with everything wicked and disastrous (Hitler in particular, even if mocking him or so). Talking about peace and harmony in public but adoring evil in secret.

It is no wonder that lots of people love finding fun or beauty in vicious things. Especially nowadays, when there is a certain tension in the air (fear of catastrophes and wars, that causes perversion in people's tastes and preferences). That's why such personalities as Adolf Hitler won't be forgotten.
Furthermore, by saying "Let's forget A.H., let him drown in clouds of history dust!" we mean ignoring his deeds. That's why such personalities as Adolf Hitler mustn't be forgotten. Forgetting him equals neglecting those 11 million of victims, mentioned in that trending tweet which was considered to be strong and solid. Strange thing, but I can't agree with it. Really? Nothing strange.

I study political science.

And I can't stand those people who know nothing about war in Libya.
Just as a good British cook can't stand other cooks who can't remember exactly the simplest recipe for pudding.
Or a vintage cold steel collector who can't bear when people try to discuss his collection (being a total disaster at recognizing a sword and a carving knife).

Or anyone else.



I'd prefer knowing nothing about crappy reality shows on MTV rather than knowing nothing what's going on in the world. Litter to my brain. Do you know who is Justin Bieber? I do. I want him to get out of my memory but I adore all evil jokes about him HAHAHA. Ok, that's clear.

When they pathetically say "Whole world is watching Libya", well, those who don't give a darn about current events in this country — they are out of the world.
I don't mean that war in Libya is the only hot topic now, but who knows what will come out of it?

By the way, could you tell me any pudding recipe?

And I'll tell you something about Libyan war. Agreed?