Conversations with Tyler M. Gessen on the Ins and Outs of Russia
Aug 14, 2019
Masha Gessen, a renowned journalist and author specializing in Russian society, discusses the intricate layers of their homeland. They explore the excellence of Soviet mathematics and its cultural significance. Gessen shares personal encounters with Putin and examines the complexities of Russian friendships and identity. They also tackle the intense political landscape, touching on LGBT rights and Garry Kasparov's political failures. Plus, insights into the cultural nuances of gender roles and a touch of dining recommendations on Russian cuisine in NYC.
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Russian Friendships
- Russian friendships are more emotionally intense than American friendships.
- This intensity can lead to deeper connections but also more dramatic endings.
Russia and Freedom
- Russia's history of unfreedom is largely due to the 20th-century totalitarian experiment.
- Gessen argues it's not simply a continuous history of Russians preferring a strong hand.
Emigre Support for Putin
- Many non-Jewish ethnic Russians in the US support Putin because they fled the post-Soviet collapse instability.
- They see Putin as restoring an imagined stability and predictability.
