Menowercogitatus; Thinking Thursdays

This month I would like to draw your attention to two podcasts which reflect on Russia; first in the Soviet era as it started to break down, and second, very current discussions with expatriate/exiled Russians and giving a view of life under Putin that we see/hear/read very little about from that insider's experience.

THE LAST SOVIET

Sergei Krikilov was the cosmonaut who had to remain for an extended period in space station Mir while, down on Earth, the country he left, the CCCR, burst out of its shackles, the Berlin wall was demolished, and a new country known as the Russian Federation was born. 

The story is told to us by Lance Bass, who (we are told, though I confess I have no idea) was a member of the boy band NSYNC. It seems he always wanted to be an astronaut. Thus, he grabbed the chance with all he had when offered the opportunity to share in an international relationship-building exercise by trying out for cosmonaut training in Baikonur. While we get a little insight into how that was for Lance, the main focus of the podcast never gets lost. Krikilov spent ten months in orbit. Initially, he had the company of several cosmonauts - including the British chemist Helen Sharman. Latterly he had only one other companion. But he also had a 'radio pal' - a lady in Australia who called him up for a chat whenever he was overhead.

There are eight half-hour episodes; through them, we are reminded of the changes that took place on the world's stage from 1991-92. It is entertaining recent history, and I highly recommend it.

NEXT YEAR IN MOSCOW

This is another eight-episoder, but each of an hour. And quality time they are, too. Let me give you the blurb from the Economist's page so you get the gist.

Which does not convey the effect these interviews and observations have. I cannot impress on you enough how very worthwhile listening to these different points of view and experience is and that your time would be well-spent here. That is, if you are at all interested in current affairs and in acknowledging that, as one interviewee puts it, "Russia and Russians are not Putin." 

Of course, there are many there who are devotees of the man; but it is important to understand that there are hefty numbers who are not. This podcast seeks out some prominent voices among the latter.

I have been so impressed by this; it remains on my playlist, for it would bear another listen. That's the level of regard I have for this podcast. Each episode provoked deeper thinking and helped build an appreciation of life under a very different regime from what I or you, my readers, experience. India, the UK and the USA, as well as many other countries of the world, face political challenges, no doubt. Nothing quite like what has been going on in Russia, though. 

Do give it a hearing - let me know what you think. Just click the titles of each show above to go to live links.