US vs. Russia: Who will win the Scam Olympics?
We asked a Russian media veteran some questions
What’s the difference between Russian-language media and so-called “pro-Russia” Western media? What’s going to happen in Ukraine? Are Russians getting hyped for the Multipolar World Order? Who is better at scamming the peasants, Washington or Moscow?
We put these hard-hitting questions to Lil’ Kremlin, a Russian who worked in Russian state media for more than a decade before disappearing into the taiga. From time to time he raps about clot-shots, cattle-tags and Anatoly Chubais; he is widely regarded as the #1 best rapper on these topics.
Enjoy!
– You worked in Russian state media for many years before seeking greener pastures. Has the Russian media-sphere changed since you left? How would you compare Russian-language media to “pro-Russia” English-language media?
I left the Russian state media apparatus in early fall of 2019 – which was perfect timing on my part, since it was right before COVID and way before Russia’s «Non-War Special Excursion with Sporadic Use of Lethal Arms».
I think that when major world-changing scams like that happen you usually get to see the ugliest side of state media as they go into shill-overdrive mode basically doubling down on all the worst aspects of propaganda.
These include overzealously parroting everything the officials say and questioning absolutely none of it, blatantly lying or misleading people about everything that’s happening, while heavily promoting the Draconian laws that usually go right along with major events (scams).
I enjoyed seeing outlets like «Tsargrad» and «Katyusha» and a few others though questioning the official narrative and at least giving people a glimpse into the «other side of the coin», and I think these events were their perfect time to shine and really stand out.
So the media landscape hasn’t changed that much, but because of all the crazy events the different voices became more prominent as they all doubled down on the interests they promote.
It’s also weird to me that the «pro-Russian» English-language media sounds a lot more like Soviet-era propaganda than even some Russian press close to the government!
You still get stories about corruption and wrongdoing by local officials and things like that in the Russian media, but the English-language 5D Masters totally ignore all of the major domestic issues in Russia itself, focusing instead on how it’s winning the war against the crumbling hegemonic West.
You would think that pro-Russian Western journalists raised on «fair, balanced and open media» would play the game in a little more sophisticated fashion and at least acknowledge that not everything is perfect in Russia. Instead, they’re putting out content that has the North Korean State TV taking major notes.
– You’ve spent some time in the United States. How would you compare the US “system” to what you have in Russia? (I’m of the belief that Americans wear “freedom” on their sleeves, but rarely exercise it, while Russians don’t live under illusions of “democracy” or “civil rights”; instead, they find creative ways to bypass the machinations of their bumbling government—which may be its actual “5D” quality.)
I definitely agree that Russians don’t believe in «rights» and «democracy».
I think the US system is the most elaborate and brilliant scam of all, and «exercising your rights» is the perfect euphemism to describe it.
It’s basically like going to the gym: you pack your gym bag, go exercise, work up a sweat, then stretch and go home and move on with the day.
So Americans «exercise» their rights in the same way: they say whatever they want to say and feel good about it, then move on with their day – and nothing really changes because of it.
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