The New Statesman presents findings from the Fear in the Mega-Cities survey (so far, so Dredd), which I’m afraid simply aren’t very interesting, and only one thing stood out for me. In Paris, Rome, London, New York, Cairo and Sao Paolo, “Losing loved ones” features in the top five fears, but not so in Moscow, where “Remaining alone” takes its place. That shift in emphasis – from future loss to present lack – tells of a thousand lonely lights in a thousand crumbling apartment blocks, and also makes me less likely to move to Moscow in the near future.
Maybe it’s a result of excess individualization as counteraction to the intensity of ended communal living?
I dunno. Those Russians have always been pretty depressed, right?
I have met quite gloomy ones, yes, but I tend not to generalize. Cultural differences and character traits do exist and are fascinating to observe and learn from. It’s just a pity when they get in the way of progress or make people unhappy.