It's a joke because America has become so Russian like. Example Marjorie Taylor Greene acting more Russian than most Russians. Russians use to have their babies born here for U.S. citizenship, however, the joke is now have them born here to be more Russian than in Russia, Russian citizenship.
Thanks for the correction. Hopefully Prof. Snyder will correct this. The thought is that Russians, Russian propagandists,seriously don't believe their own propaganda. This also shows how very insecure weak and weakening Russia is and how the propagandists know it. It also gives the thought that Trump's campaign rhetoric dovetails nicely with what the Russians are claiming. They need to be "dissing" or denigrating the U.S.: what bad shape we are in and how corrupt we are (projection in Russia and TrumpWorld here). Josh Shapiro pushes the cry "Stop Sh*t talking America". I hope that goes viral.
thank you for you work for Democracy. As to your topic about russian Influence in the US and Europe: I just read Sofi Oksanen's book on Russia's war against Ukraine: Putin's war against the women. It is written from the perspective of a writer coming from an estonian family, writing about the russian colonial Impact on Estonia and how she as an Eastern European writer perceives the war on Ukraine. I can fully recommend it!
1. "For one thing, they had been cut out of the loop. The invasion was meant to be its own propaganda, a 'special military operation' that overthrew the Ukrainian government in three days, followed by a victory parade and a warm welcome by the Ukrainian masses. This did not happen, and was based upon a worldview (Putin's) that was both obviously wrong and impossible to criticize." I first learned about Ukrainian civic nationalism in early 2022, right after Peter Pomerantsev returned from a research trip to Ukraine. There are two youtube videos in which he discusses this trip. At this time I knew nothing about it and, as an American who'd been used to government-hating discourse for over 40 years, had a hard time grasping it at first. Mr Pomerantsev said that the only thing the government in Moscow knew was that Ukrainians distrusted their government (without, however, understanding why), and apparently that was the main reason Putin was certain that Russian troops would be greeted with flowers. He joked, "If they had just read my research, they would have known better."
2. It has been said before, but I will say it again: Julia Davis is a national treasure. Without her I never could have understood Russian propaganda as I do now. Her knowledge of this subject is vast, and she knows how to write about it in a way that is accessible to us all. I don't know how she copes with it but am glad that, because of her sense of duty to the nation, she's able to get out of bed every morning, dust off the previous day's awfulness (to the extent that that's even possible), steel herself, and sit through yet another round of it.
Please don’t derail because of typos. Stay on track. We and the world are facing a serious authoritarian, fascist threat.
During the past two weeks I tried to convince a MAGA brother-in-law and an 80ish MAGA friend of probable scenarios that will play out if Trump and the RShits steal the election. The unbelievable view I heard separately from both of them is that for the earth to survive the population must be cut in half!!! Is this a talking point on right wing media? This is the mentality that leads to genocide.
“As Julia Davis shows, Russian propagandists use openly genocidal language over and over again, urging the extermination of vermin, worms, demons, zombies, etc.”
It CAN happen here. Stay focused.
If any of you have the time to assist Professor Snyder as a proofreader reach out and offer your hand.
Thanks Dr. Snyder for the summary and the recommendation. I will be sure to read her book, but primarily to compare the Russian propagandists with their students in the US and Europe - the MAGAts, Faux Snooze and the fringes of political discourse. But of course the Russians have succeeded with the MSM too, as evidenced by their clueless reporting on the military situation, exaggerated reports of war weariness, and nonsensical concern that our giving Ukraine the weapons she needs and freedom to use them as they see fit is somehow escalatory.
Yes, they do detract. I think that Tim has spread himself too thin. And I have also noticed an increase in typos all over digital media, even in headlines.
We have been here before. This is not the first example from Dr Snyder of lack of proofing interfering with the message.
It is illogical to argue that we should overlook, or put up with, poor editing and multiple typos, just because the author is saying something important.
This is the same false argument as that used in France to justify extreme misogynist behaviour on the grounds that the perpetrator is a great artist, or important politician.
A better line of argument is: the more important the content, the greater the need for top-class editing and proofing to enable it to maximise its communicative potential.
Unlike the two of you (Robert and Denis), I am seriously considering cancelling my subscription. Here's a couple more reasons why.
I’ve had cause to complain about being cut out of live discussions, owing to inadequate forethought and planning being given to participation by subscribers living overseas (I live in Australia in a very different time zone, the live discussion comes through to me in the middle of the night, and without adequate prior scheduling by Dr Snyder, I’m unable to tune in. A couple of hours' untimed notice from an originator living in an unspecified time zone doesn't cut the mustard. And I had no satisfactory reply indicating that the problem would not recur. Add to that the fact that I pay half as much again for my subscription owing to the difference in the value of our respective dollars, and I am an age pensioner with limited means, and I think it's fair to say I want better bang for my buck.)
A final point illustrating my growing disillusionment: I was unable to perceive any benefit in reading through the long lists of words in Dr Snyder's latest two posts, purporting to alert us to the valuable content of his forthcoming book. I may just as well have played with a Rorschach test. I subscribe in order to read irreplaceable content expressed in full English sentences by one of the world's leading historians. I have a sinking feeling about what happens to historians when they try to become philosophers… We shall see.
That said, my criticisms in no way detract from my admiration for Dr Snyder's sublime lectures on the Making of Modern Ukraine. Those, and his earlier posts here, opened my eyes to the limitations of the Anglo version of history, with lasting beneficial effect.
??? 🤔You give antipodeans a bad name... I accept from Down-under that Prof Snyder is mainly aiming to education & influence people in his home country to understand how important it is for the US to continue to support Ukraine in every way they can. I pay extra $$$ as well, also on fixed income, and consider it a privilege to have access to this level of knowledge & expertise, but mainly pay so he can continue his projects to help Ukraine because of his unique situation. 🤷
"… Prof Snyder is mainly aiming to education [sic] & influence people in his home country…"
Dr Snyder's extensive travel, holding of academic posts and lecturing overseas suggest that he's an internationalist in his outlook, aiming especially to reach Western European audiences ignorant of East European history.
"… I pay extra $$$ as well, also on fixed income, and consider it a privilege to have access to this level of knowledge & expertise…"
I also consider it a privilege to have this access to expert knowledge. But that's a separate issue from technical criticism about the level of editing and proofing of his posts. As far as I'm aware, Dr Snyder is not a world renowned expert on editing and proofing text. Criticism of the presentation of his posts is therefore legitimate and can be offered independently of assessment of the content.
Also, it's a questionable practice to charge subscribers equally but then offer unequal services.
"… but mainly pay so he can continue his projects to help Ukraine…"
It seems unlikely that Dr Snyder is personally so poor that he depends on this forum to fund the roof over his head, the food he eats, the clothes on his back, and his overseas travel.
"… You give antipodeans a bad name..."
Who says? I see you as exhibiting the classic Aussie posture of cultural cringe. Who is to be the judge? What are the criteria?
A Native American acquaintance of mine, who lived in Australia, once remarked that the true difference she had experienced between American culture and Australian culture was that Americans were always ready to encourage and praise individual achievement, where Australians were always eager to cut tall poppies down to size.
Our cultural cringe may be attributable to our convict origins: keep your head down, don't split on your mates, do as you're told by your masters, and hope against hope that one day you may be free.
I’m sure Professor Snyder is in Ukraine a lot helping out in their war ravaged country. Instead of whining about typos, I suggest you volunteer like him. ✌🏻
Informed criticism is not "whining". To dismiss it as whining is to target the person instead of the issue and to emote instead of to think. Not a good look.
????? Hmmmm..... I'm PAYING for Prof Snyder's expertise & analysis, NOT to grumble about my grammar etc. preferences, and since I'm not from the US, I routinely have to ignore spellings that grate on me 🤷
Accepted variants of the English language, such as English English and American English, are one thing. Anyone using the internet today is used to both forms of spelling e.g. colour/color. We are also accustomed to common variants in vocabulary such as autumn/fall, boot/trunk.
Mistakes in grammar and spelling owing to ignorance are a different thing. Education helps here. Also, reading good literature.
Refusal to proofread one's own posts is different again. It is a discourtesy to other readers. It shows arrogance and a refusal to respect the readers' rights. A misplaced, stubborn anti-elitism.
Thank you, Dr. Snyder. It seems that there is a mutual interest in alliance between Russia’s leadership and US lawmakers and candidate for President. It is symbiotic, fanatical and fantasy, but strategic. Ultimately, it seems that propaganda on both sides in the guise of disinformation is directed at the public who ultimately will pay the steep cost should these leaders be re-elected, as Ukraine is doing. Thank you for taking time to share the current situation of political warfare. A war directed at the citizens.
> Russia needs America to bail it out of its war with Ukraine.
Great summary. November election is a pivotal point in the war, not even because Putin is 100% certain that Trump will bail him (although that's the expectation) but because Russia would spare no human/materiel cost to project "strength" trying to convince the American voter that support of Ukraine is doomed, which means more suffering for Ukraine. Depending on the election results, Russians could suddenly discover the interest for peace negotiations but absolutely not before November.
As an avid proofreader myself (though not so good as my wife), I somehow learned on my own at an early age that there were two distinct categories of spelling in the English language. I think this came about in rereading Winnie the Pooh. OK - pardon the Yankee slang - I never gave a [bleep], it was all "English" either way, and presented no difficulty in reading. To be put off by people inserting a silly U in adopted Latin words like honor and color would be a waste of my finite time in this world.
In the eighth paragraph you write: "A leading Russian propagandist sent his girlfriend to America to give birth so that his child would have Russian citizenship." Don't you mean American citizenship?
A typo in an important sentence:
A leading Russian propagandist sent his girlfriend to America to give birth so that his child would have Russian citizenship.
It seems "American citizenship" is meant
was just going to write the same thing.
It's a joke because America has become so Russian like. Example Marjorie Taylor Greene acting more Russian than most Russians. Russians use to have their babies born here for U.S. citizenship, however, the joke is now have them born here to be more Russian than in Russia, Russian citizenship.
Thanks for the correction. Hopefully Prof. Snyder will correct this. The thought is that Russians, Russian propagandists,seriously don't believe their own propaganda. This also shows how very insecure weak and weakening Russia is and how the propagandists know it. It also gives the thought that Trump's campaign rhetoric dovetails nicely with what the Russians are claiming. They need to be "dissing" or denigrating the U.S.: what bad shape we are in and how corrupt we are (projection in Russia and TrumpWorld here). Josh Shapiro pushes the cry "Stop Sh*t talking America". I hope that goes viral.
I think this version of the text has not been given the final proofreading. Perhaps an earlier version has accidentally been posted here.
Another typo: “when Yevgeny Prigozhin tries and coup”
Dear Prof. Snyder,
thank you for you work for Democracy. As to your topic about russian Influence in the US and Europe: I just read Sofi Oksanen's book on Russia's war against Ukraine: Putin's war against the women. It is written from the perspective of a writer coming from an estonian family, writing about the russian colonial Impact on Estonia and how she as an Eastern European writer perceives the war on Ukraine. I can fully recommend it!
1. "For one thing, they had been cut out of the loop. The invasion was meant to be its own propaganda, a 'special military operation' that overthrew the Ukrainian government in three days, followed by a victory parade and a warm welcome by the Ukrainian masses. This did not happen, and was based upon a worldview (Putin's) that was both obviously wrong and impossible to criticize." I first learned about Ukrainian civic nationalism in early 2022, right after Peter Pomerantsev returned from a research trip to Ukraine. There are two youtube videos in which he discusses this trip. At this time I knew nothing about it and, as an American who'd been used to government-hating discourse for over 40 years, had a hard time grasping it at first. Mr Pomerantsev said that the only thing the government in Moscow knew was that Ukrainians distrusted their government (without, however, understanding why), and apparently that was the main reason Putin was certain that Russian troops would be greeted with flowers. He joked, "If they had just read my research, they would have known better."
2. It has been said before, but I will say it again: Julia Davis is a national treasure. Without her I never could have understood Russian propaganda as I do now. Her knowledge of this subject is vast, and she knows how to write about it in a way that is accessible to us all. I don't know how she copes with it but am glad that, because of her sense of duty to the nation, she's able to get out of bed every morning, dust off the previous day's awfulness (to the extent that that's even possible), steel herself, and sit through yet another round of it.
Please don’t derail because of typos. Stay on track. We and the world are facing a serious authoritarian, fascist threat.
During the past two weeks I tried to convince a MAGA brother-in-law and an 80ish MAGA friend of probable scenarios that will play out if Trump and the RShits steal the election. The unbelievable view I heard separately from both of them is that for the earth to survive the population must be cut in half!!! Is this a talking point on right wing media? This is the mentality that leads to genocide.
“As Julia Davis shows, Russian propagandists use openly genocidal language over and over again, urging the extermination of vermin, worms, demons, zombies, etc.”
It CAN happen here. Stay focused.
If any of you have the time to assist Professor Snyder as a proofreader reach out and offer your hand.
Thanks Dr. Snyder for the summary and the recommendation. I will be sure to read her book, but primarily to compare the Russian propagandists with their students in the US and Europe - the MAGAts, Faux Snooze and the fringes of political discourse. But of course the Russians have succeeded with the MSM too, as evidenced by their clueless reporting on the military situation, exaggerated reports of war weariness, and nonsensical concern that our giving Ukraine the weapons she needs and freedom to use them as they see fit is somehow escalatory.
Excellent writing Dr Snyder!
Hans G Wesslau, Sweden
Thank you professor Snyder for sharing your knowledge, typos and all which I don’t care as the point here is to inform as well as save our democracy.
This essay seriously needed editing. It’s littered with typos. Not what I’m paying for.
Robert Gillette
As the son of a proof-reader I don't like typos either. But I am paying to support Tim and Ukraine. I can put up with the typos.
I’m still paying, too. But as a retired journalist, I know typos reflect undue haste and inattention, and detract from the content’s message.
Yes, they do detract. I think that Tim has spread himself too thin. And I have also noticed an increase in typos all over digital media, even in headlines.
We have been here before. This is not the first example from Dr Snyder of lack of proofing interfering with the message.
It is illogical to argue that we should overlook, or put up with, poor editing and multiple typos, just because the author is saying something important.
This is the same false argument as that used in France to justify extreme misogynist behaviour on the grounds that the perpetrator is a great artist, or important politician.
A better line of argument is: the more important the content, the greater the need for top-class editing and proofing to enable it to maximise its communicative potential.
Unlike the two of you (Robert and Denis), I am seriously considering cancelling my subscription. Here's a couple more reasons why.
I’ve had cause to complain about being cut out of live discussions, owing to inadequate forethought and planning being given to participation by subscribers living overseas (I live in Australia in a very different time zone, the live discussion comes through to me in the middle of the night, and without adequate prior scheduling by Dr Snyder, I’m unable to tune in. A couple of hours' untimed notice from an originator living in an unspecified time zone doesn't cut the mustard. And I had no satisfactory reply indicating that the problem would not recur. Add to that the fact that I pay half as much again for my subscription owing to the difference in the value of our respective dollars, and I am an age pensioner with limited means, and I think it's fair to say I want better bang for my buck.)
A final point illustrating my growing disillusionment: I was unable to perceive any benefit in reading through the long lists of words in Dr Snyder's latest two posts, purporting to alert us to the valuable content of his forthcoming book. I may just as well have played with a Rorschach test. I subscribe in order to read irreplaceable content expressed in full English sentences by one of the world's leading historians. I have a sinking feeling about what happens to historians when they try to become philosophers… We shall see.
That said, my criticisms in no way detract from my admiration for Dr Snyder's sublime lectures on the Making of Modern Ukraine. Those, and his earlier posts here, opened my eyes to the limitations of the Anglo version of history, with lasting beneficial effect.
??? 🤔You give antipodeans a bad name... I accept from Down-under that Prof Snyder is mainly aiming to education & influence people in his home country to understand how important it is for the US to continue to support Ukraine in every way they can. I pay extra $$$ as well, also on fixed income, and consider it a privilege to have access to this level of knowledge & expertise, but mainly pay so he can continue his projects to help Ukraine because of his unique situation. 🤷
"… Prof Snyder is mainly aiming to education [sic] & influence people in his home country…"
Dr Snyder's extensive travel, holding of academic posts and lecturing overseas suggest that he's an internationalist in his outlook, aiming especially to reach Western European audiences ignorant of East European history.
"… I pay extra $$$ as well, also on fixed income, and consider it a privilege to have access to this level of knowledge & expertise…"
I also consider it a privilege to have this access to expert knowledge. But that's a separate issue from technical criticism about the level of editing and proofing of his posts. As far as I'm aware, Dr Snyder is not a world renowned expert on editing and proofing text. Criticism of the presentation of his posts is therefore legitimate and can be offered independently of assessment of the content.
Also, it's a questionable practice to charge subscribers equally but then offer unequal services.
"… but mainly pay so he can continue his projects to help Ukraine…"
It seems unlikely that Dr Snyder is personally so poor that he depends on this forum to fund the roof over his head, the food he eats, the clothes on his back, and his overseas travel.
"… You give antipodeans a bad name..."
Who says? I see you as exhibiting the classic Aussie posture of cultural cringe. Who is to be the judge? What are the criteria?
A Native American acquaintance of mine, who lived in Australia, once remarked that the true difference she had experienced between American culture and Australian culture was that Americans were always ready to encourage and praise individual achievement, where Australians were always eager to cut tall poppies down to size.
Our cultural cringe may be attributable to our convict origins: keep your head down, don't split on your mates, do as you're told by your masters, and hope against hope that one day you may be free.
I’m sure Professor Snyder is in Ukraine a lot helping out in their war ravaged country. Instead of whining about typos, I suggest you volunteer like him. ✌🏻
👍💯👏💙💛
An American after my own heart ❤️
Unfortunately she isn't American.
It's always a good idea to check your facts.
Do you know he isn't volunteering?
Informed criticism is not "whining". To dismiss it as whining is to target the person instead of the issue and to emote instead of to think. Not a good look.
Whining is complaining about typos in my country. 😁
Who says? Do you know the nationality and culture of Denis and Robert? And all the many others who have complained about typos in earlier posts?
Or by "my country", do you mean yourself? Like Donald Trump? Do you own America?
????? Hmmmm..... I'm PAYING for Prof Snyder's expertise & analysis, NOT to grumble about my grammar etc. preferences, and since I'm not from the US, I routinely have to ignore spellings that grate on me 🤷
Accepted variants of the English language, such as English English and American English, are one thing. Anyone using the internet today is used to both forms of spelling e.g. colour/color. We are also accustomed to common variants in vocabulary such as autumn/fall, boot/trunk.
Mistakes in grammar and spelling owing to ignorance are a different thing. Education helps here. Also, reading good literature.
Refusal to proofread one's own posts is different again. It is a discourtesy to other readers. It shows arrogance and a refusal to respect the readers' rights. A misplaced, stubborn anti-elitism.
Thank you, Dr. Snyder. It seems that there is a mutual interest in alliance between Russia’s leadership and US lawmakers and candidate for President. It is symbiotic, fanatical and fantasy, but strategic. Ultimately, it seems that propaganda on both sides in the guise of disinformation is directed at the public who ultimately will pay the steep cost should these leaders be re-elected, as Ukraine is doing. Thank you for taking time to share the current situation of political warfare. A war directed at the citizens.
Thank you, I will be getting Davis' book!
I have been reading all of your recommendations. Thank you
> Russia needs America to bail it out of its war with Ukraine.
Great summary. November election is a pivotal point in the war, not even because Putin is 100% certain that Trump will bail him (although that's the expectation) but because Russia would spare no human/materiel cost to project "strength" trying to convince the American voter that support of Ukraine is doomed, which means more suffering for Ukraine. Depending on the election results, Russians could suddenly discover the interest for peace negotiations but absolutely not before November.
I assume you intend to say the girlfriend is sent to USA to insure American citizenship for the newborn. If not, I don't get it.
"Insure" should read "ensure".
Ha very ha.
As an avid proofreader myself (though not so good as my wife), I somehow learned on my own at an early age that there were two distinct categories of spelling in the English language. I think this came about in rereading Winnie the Pooh. OK - pardon the Yankee slang - I never gave a [bleep], it was all "English" either way, and presented no difficulty in reading. To be put off by people inserting a silly U in adopted Latin words like honor and color would be a waste of my finite time in this world.
„Yevgeny Prigozhin tries and coup“ another typo or meaningless. More editing please!
In the eighth paragraph you write: "A leading Russian propagandist sent his girlfriend to America to give birth so that his child would have Russian citizenship." Don't you mean American citizenship?
Meanwhile, a Russian drone unit is recruiting members of the Kremlin elite so they can ‘sidestep’ military service on the front, UK Intel says.
#Oligarch #Draftdodgers 🇷🇺
Typo in paragraph 15….”Yevgeny P…tries and coup.”