| Topic: |
Sociology > Depression |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
29 Jan 2005 03:37:21 PM |
| Object: |
Best and worst in Russia and America |
The problem with Russia is a culture of gloom - a culture that sees all
things in terms that are tragic and fatalistic. This culture attacks
all signs of happinesss - one saying I often heard was, "Laughter
without reason is sign of idiocy" - and leads through self-fulfilling
dynamics to destructive and oppressive social orders.
The problem with America - especially South and Midwest - is quite the
opposite. Everyone is expected - indeed demanded - to appear happy, and
anything that violates the false pretense of happiness comes under
vicious attack. People are made to hide their pain, their misery, the
nastiness they endure, and those who experience horrible treatment or
are for other legitimate reasons unhappy are made to believe that it is
their fault. The injustices - and in many cases horrors - proceed
hidden and, therefore, unchecked and unresolved. The smilie face draped
over an abyss of misery becomes the outcome of this culture of
entrenched hypocrisy and oppression, and the smarmy illusion of happy
American existence proceeds by hiding, silencing and destroying the
lives of its victims.
The problems with both of these cultures are resolved through
introjection of the best of both. Russia needs some good genuine
American enthusiasm and entrepreneurship, while America needs Russian
starkness, honesty and willingness to confront injustice and horror
wherever it may hide. Russia needs American can-do spirit, while
America needs Russian ability to see things in their essence - the
Russian honesty, Russian candor, Russian understanding of life's
injustices and tragedies as parts of the world rather than anomalies
and ones that must be recognized and addressed without for them blaming
the victims.
The first will help Russians rise out of the mire they've lived in for
centuries and create a livable, sustainable, benign society. The second
will confront America's pervasive hypocrisy, viciousness, and immoral
blame-the-victim culture - made immoral by the blame-the-victim
attitude, in whatever ideology or spiritual system it is framed - and
help those who are mistreated to confront their aggressors, expose the
malignant social dynamics and behavior, and help people lead lives that
are actually happy all the way to the core rather than ones that paint
a smilie face over an abyss of evil and blame the innocent for the
actions of bullies and aggressors.
It is correctly said that, when two cultures meet, they both have
something to teach each other. And it is my firm belief that the true
way to understand an aspect of human existence - a culture, a religion,
a mindset - is to both observe it from without and experience it from
within, thus figuring it out in both the way it is experienced and the
external effects that it has on the world. Having done the same with
both societies, I am in the position to recommend how they can defeat
the worst in each other and put together the best in each other to make
the best possible Russia, the best possible America, and indeed the
best possible world.
Ilya Shambat.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
29 Jan 2005 08:12:12 PM |
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wrote:
The problem with America - especially South and Midwest - is quite
the
opposite. Everyone is expected - indeed demanded - to appear happy,
and
anything that violates the false pretense of happiness comes under
vicious attack. People are made to hide their pain, their misery, the
nastiness they endure, and those who experience horrible treatment or
are for other legitimate reasons unhappy are made to believe that it
is
their fault. The injustices - and in many cases horrors - proceed
hidden and, therefore, unchecked and unresolved. The smilie face
draped
over an abyss of misery becomes the outcome of this culture of
entrenched hypocrisy and oppression, and the smarmy illusion of happy
American existence proceeds by hiding, silencing and destroying the
lives of its victims.
Ilya Shambat.
i grew up in suburban ohio and this really resonates with me.
.
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| User: "Contrarian" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
30 Jan 2005 03:51:45 AM |
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In alt.support.depression wrote:
The problem with Russia is a culture of gloom - a culture that sees all
things in terms that are tragic and fatalistic.
you might know more than I do about Russia, I've heard vs. ppl
who have been there who mentioned vs. aspects of psychoculture
there.
The problem with America - especially South and Midwest - is quite the
opposite. Everyone is expected - indeed demanded - to appear happy, and
anything that violates the false pretense of happiness comes under
vicious attack.
this is quite widespread yes.
.
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| User: "Tommy" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
29 Jan 2005 06:08:52 PM |
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In news:1107034641.888746.163310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com,
ilya_shambat2004@yahoo.com <> was heard piping ``(*^(\)
The problem with America - especially South and Midwest - is quite the
opposite. Everyone is expected - indeed demanded - to appear happy, and
anything that violates the false pretense of happiness comes under
vicious attack. People are made to hide their pain, their misery, the
nastiness they endure, and those who experience horrible treatment or
are for other legitimate reasons unhappy are made to believe that it is
their fault.
What is Depression?
Depression is an extreme feeling of sadness and discouragement. It can affect
anyone at any age. It is not connected with and does not develop into
insanity.
Depression varies in severity. Some people will experience a mild form of
depression and will be able to carryout day to day activities. Others will
experience a severe form of depression and may lack the energy or desire to
perform day to day activities.
Some people will experience depression once or twice in their lifetime. For
others, depression is a recurring disease.
Signs of Depression?
persistant sadness
irritability
feelings of anxiety
feelings of helplessness
changes in eating habits
rapid weight loss
rapid weight gain
loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and sex
difficulty concentrating
difficulty sleeping
What Causes Depression?
There are many causes of depression. The most common causes are major changes
in life such as: passage from childhood to adulthood, and sudden trauma
(divorce, loss of job, loss of a loved one). For some people, depression is a
recurring disease.
Treatments for Depression?
Depression can be treated. People may be offered antidepressants. Some of the
most common antidepressants are: zoloft, celexa, remeron, prozac, and paxil.
It is important to continue taking the medication even if you begin to feel
better. Sometimes, patients are tempted to stop medication too soon. They may
feel better and think they no longer need the medication. Medications must be
taken regularly for 3 to 4 weeks before the full effect occurs.
Antidepressants may cause side effects. The most common side effects are: Dry
mouth, Constipation, Bladder problems, Sexual problems, Blurred vision,
Dizziness and Drowsiness.
Other treatment options include: group therapy and talking with a counselor.
Statistics
About 40 million Americans suffer from Depression
Between 10 to 15% of the of child and adolescent population has depression
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds
I ain't saying nothing :-)
But if American statistics are anything to go by, then the olde worlde is in a
horrible state.
Anyway as I always do say, things could be worse, we could all end up in a
house of imagination - I feel so much better calling it that than calling it a
nuthouse or asylum :-)
Yeppers the House of Imagination, where all activity is, well, is imaginary,
except for the attendants who work there. I ask myself though, which would be
better for me, to end up in a State of Imagination, or old, used up, pained
and cricketty. Its a choice I suppose, not for me to predict :-|
Cheers
Tommy
The injustices - and in many cases horrors - proceed
hidden and, therefore, unchecked and unresolved. The smilie face draped
over an abyss of misery becomes the outcome of this culture of
entrenched hypocrisy and oppression, and the smarmy illusion of happy
American existence proceeds by hiding, silencing and destroying the
lives of its victims.
.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
29 Jan 2005 08:29:22 PM |
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X-no-archive:yes
Excellent points about the increasingly phony aspects of American
Culture. i don't know what else can be said. it won't be too
surprising when the country goes financially broke because the soul is
already broken.
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| User: "Liberalsareliars" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
29 Jan 2005 11:04:40 PM |
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wrote:
|| X-no-archive:yes
||
|| Excellent points about the increasingly phony aspects of American
|| Culture. i don't know what else can be said. it won't be too
|| surprising when the country goes financially broke because the soul
|| is already broken.
Go blow it out your *****, fag boy.
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
30 Jan 2005 10:38:44 AM |
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On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 05:04:40 GMT, "Liberalsareliars"
<l$#"''.,?,..,XXX=@liberalzarelwankers.com> wrote:
<(((*> wrote:
<(((*> || X-no-archive:yes
<(((*> ||
<(((*> || Excellent points about the increasingly phony aspects of American
<(((*> || Culture. i don't know what else can be said. it won't be too
<(((*> || surprising when the country goes financially broke because the soul
<(((*> || is already broken.
<(((*>
<(((*> Go blow it out your *****, fag boy.
Ann Coulter, is that you?
Tara J. Ballance
Montreal, Canada
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| User: "N.O.Y.B." |
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| Title: Re: Best and worst in Russia and America |
30 Jan 2005 05:09:54 AM |
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You cannt compare Russia to America. I wouldn't touch Russia with a
bargepole. More laws and regulations as well as the loss of liberty. That's
probably why Russians look at things in a more cold objective manner. It's
probably because they've never known liberty and have always been subjected
to communist whim. That's changing, yes, the whole world is changing, but
the USA remains the truly freest country on earth (along with Australia,
Canada, and the UK following close behind).
The USA is definately much better, although I can't say if it's as good as
Australia or better or worse since I've never been there, but my grandmother
lived there for almost 30 years and she tells me Australia is a bit better,
but that's from her experience, mine could always be different, but if
keeping pet reptiles is anything to go by, America sure beats the crap out
of Australia when it comes to the reptile hobby. Of course, if I were stuck
in Russia and couldn't move to America (or Australia, my home country) I
would simply grab a couple hundred Tardyl tablets and a nice little bottle
of Polish Ox vodka and some car sick pills. The rest would be history.
noyb
<ilya_shambat2004@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1107034641.888746.163310@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
The problem with Russia is a culture of gloom - a culture that sees all
things in terms that are tragic and fatalistic. This culture attacks
all signs of happinesss - one saying I often heard was, "Laughter
without reason is sign of idiocy" - and leads through self-fulfilling
dynamics to destructive and oppressive social orders.
The problem with America - especially South and Midwest - is quite the
opposite. Everyone is expected - indeed demanded - to appear happy, and
anything that violates the false pretense of happiness comes under
vicious attack. People are made to hide their pain, their misery, the
nastiness they endure, and those who experience horrible treatment or
are for other legitimate reasons unhappy are made to believe that it is
their fault. The injustices - and in many cases horrors - proceed
hidden and, therefore, unchecked and unresolved. The smilie face draped
over an abyss of misery becomes the outcome of this culture of
entrenched hypocrisy and oppression, and the smarmy illusion of happy
American existence proceeds by hiding, silencing and destroying the
lives of its victims.
The problems with both of these cultures are resolved through
introjection of the best of both. Russia needs some good genuine
American enthusiasm and entrepreneurship, while America needs Russian
starkness, honesty and willingness to confront injustice and horror
wherever it may hide. Russia needs American can-do spirit, while
America needs Russian ability to see things in their essence - the
Russian honesty, Russian candor, Russian understanding of life's
injustices and tragedies as parts of the world rather than anomalies
and ones that must be recognized and addressed without for them blaming
the victims.
The first will help Russians rise out of the mire they've lived in for
centuries and create a livable, sustainable, benign society. The second
will confront America's pervasive hypocrisy, viciousness, and immoral
blame-the-victim culture - made immoral by the blame-the-victim
attitude, in whatever ideology or spiritual system it is framed - and
help those who are mistreated to confront their aggressors, expose the
malignant social dynamics and behavior, and help people lead lives that
are actually happy all the way to the core rather than ones that paint
a smilie face over an abyss of evil and blame the innocent for the
actions of bullies and aggressors.
It is correctly said that, when two cultures meet, they both have
something to teach each other. And it is my firm belief that the true
way to understand an aspect of human existence - a culture, a religion,
a mindset - is to both observe it from without and experience it from
within, thus figuring it out in both the way it is experienced and the
external effects that it has on the world. Having done the same with
both societies, I am in the position to recommend how they can defeat
the worst in each other and put together the best in each other to make
the best possible Russia, the best possible America, and indeed the
best possible world.
Ilya Shambat.
.
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