What will become of the 'Homo Sovieticus'?

The protests in Russia show a new generation of Russians, who are not afraid to voice their opinions and demand for democratic politics. Do they, however, have a chance in achieving change against Putins’s power? As an article in ‘The Economists’ called ‘Homo Sovieticus’ suggests – not really. The problem lies within the mentality of the Russian population that wants a strong leader to make important decisions, provide social welfare to the people, leaving citizens out of political life. It is a wish that many people in different countries would relate to. However, the history shows that without an active citizens participation in the political and economic life; without individuality, entrepreneurship and freedom of speech, as core standards in social life, national leaders tend to forget their responsibilities. Greed for money and power take over. Democracy becomes a one man show.

http://www.economist.com/node/21541444

Glamour is a modern invention; it cannot exist without a personal social envy being a common and widespread emotion. We live in constant contradiction between what we are and what we want to be. We day-dream and reach out for publicity to live out our dreams. Social networking and the cult of profiles allows us to create alter egos, pretend, on the virtual universe, that our lives are somehow more spectacular, glamorous and interesting than they really are. We became slaves to our own profiles, updating them on daily basis. The exiting rush of a new shot that advertises us to the world, wears of leaving the bleak dullness of everyday life. Or maybe it's the lie of the images that make us look for new ones time after time, confirming the illusion of a surreal glamorous life?

The Pyro Blues Executive

A few weeks ago I came across a blues venue, happening in the Lesson Lounge (148 Lesson Street Upper, D4). It's a breath of fresh air: the atmosphere is relaxed, band's great and it's a FREE gig. If you are bored on a dark Monday evening and feel like having a glass of hot port with a group of friends - come along and experience in the extraordinary blues magic! (Mick Pyro from the Republic of Loose is only a bonus...)

Do I fit in?

I recently discovered photographer Diane Arbus. She focuses on people, who don't quite fit in the society: people, who appear mentally or physically different;people, who have cracks in their public masks; people, who brake taboos. It is interesting, how her work, even forty years later, hasn't lost any of it's impact and is strong and emotional.

Going through her portfolio I kept thinking: societies constantly create rules for people, apparently to keep the order in place, but, how come in the our modern world we still exclude people? Is it because, the imperfections in others remind us of our own flaws? What role does advertising play in all of this? Who's is benefiting from our insecurities and fears to become the outcasts of society?

We are all unique and beutiful in our own right. We should learn to celebrate it more!

Just a thought...

You won't run away from yourself. The Self will always haunt you, no matter how much you will try to become someone else. During our lifetimes, we'll meet people, learn from your mentors, copy your peers...But if we're honest, we will find yourself over and over again: ''Although the paths took him away from Self, in the end they always led back to it...'' H.Hesse ''Siddhartha''. However, life can bring many anxieties; it can clutter the brain and make you lose your way. So how do you calm your soul and reborn again? Is it through meditation that you find amity? Or is it creative work that brings salvation? ''Through thought alone feelings become knowledge and are not lost, but become real and begin to mature'' H. Hesse ''Siddhartha''. And I think we will all agree that experience brings knowledge and knowledge brings peace. So, I wish everyone to learn from life, from mistakes and to understand yourself, so that the future would seem strong, interesting and manageable.

Little girls

I saw a little girl arguing with her mother the other day. I watched them through a window in a cafe, while outside on the street the woman was trying to calm the child. 'But I don't understand why?' - Girl was moaning. You could feel the strong character of this so innocently looking creature, who by that point already had the mother on her knees. 'It's just the way it is' - Her hushed voice didn't have a chance. 'But WHY?!' - A few passerby turned their heads. 'Listen, I don't know. It's just the way it is. Girls have to work harder than boys and that's it. Ask your father when we come home!' - After a fast adrenaline rush, mother finally got the strength to drag the child away.

My thoughts drifted away. How many people all over the world feel exactly the same? Will it always stay like this? The coffee was finished, I collected my stuff. I suppose, as long as we have little girls with such determination, we shouldn't worry about the future too much...

Back to Basic

I get up, I sit and stare through the window, I smell the Autumn, the rain, the brightness mixed with the gray patches of despair. A sorrow longing for something meaningful hits the center of the mind ''Should I go to Dame Street and join the protest?'', ''Should I clean my wardrobes, get rid of all that stuff, that's chocking my existence?''. Life got so cluttered, so stuffy, my soul is crying for basic right of being heard. And today I'll listen to it...Today I will go back to basics and start fresh. And even the quiet creeping of death, that's taking over our surroundings, won't kill the pure joy of a new morning. ''With a new day comes a new beginning...''