Hows this for scary stats:
The government in Moscow estimates the Russian mafia controls 40% of private business and 60% of state-owned companies.
Unofficial sources say 80% of Russian banks are controlled either directly or indirectly by criminals.
Source
Interesting surf trail to follow:
Russian mafia
Chechen Mafia
Murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov
One particularly disturbing note - as I was doing the research on this topic, I received some sort of malware attack. I don't know if it is related, but I wouldn't put it past either Putin or his mob buddies to set some traps out there just to discourage those who might be digging for info. Not that I'm paranoid or anything.
Monday, December 29, 2008
40 Days of Freedom - the Kengir Uprising
I read today of a fascinating historical event, the Kengir uprising, and am surprised that a movie has not yet been about Kengir. It would make for exciting, dramatic, and ultimately tragic material.
In May and June of 1954 the prisoners in a Soviet prison labor camp called Kengir in what is now Kazakhstan rebelled against their captors and seized the entire camp. They had 40 days of glorious freedom, until the uprising was finally crushed by the authorities.
What makes this especially interesting is that most of the prisoners were there for political reasons, and as a result what they did with their short-lived freedom is nothing short of remarkable. Art, music, and democratic government all flourished during until the end of the 40 days.
Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn chronicled the Kengir uprising in his book the Gulag Archipelago, which I personally intend to obtain and read soon. One particularly chilling fact from this book - more than 25% of the entire population of Leningrad was sent to the Gulag's between 1930-1939.
In May and June of 1954 the prisoners in a Soviet prison labor camp called Kengir in what is now Kazakhstan rebelled against their captors and seized the entire camp. They had 40 days of glorious freedom, until the uprising was finally crushed by the authorities.
What makes this especially interesting is that most of the prisoners were there for political reasons, and as a result what they did with their short-lived freedom is nothing short of remarkable. Art, music, and democratic government all flourished during until the end of the 40 days.
Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn chronicled the Kengir uprising in his book the Gulag Archipelago, which I personally intend to obtain and read soon. One particularly chilling fact from this book - more than 25% of the entire population of Leningrad was sent to the Gulag's between 1930-1939.
I'm back
I have been buried at work for the last month and took a hiatus, but am now ready to roll again, mucho posts in the next few days.
Up first, Next Big Future's summary of 2008's key advances in technology and developments to watch over the next year or so:
Computers, Robotic and Communication Developments to Watch in 2009 and a Little Beyond
DNA/biotech/synthetic biology, nanotechnology topics are here
Energy and transportation
Up first, Next Big Future's summary of 2008's key advances in technology and developments to watch over the next year or so:
Computers, Robotic and Communication Developments to Watch in 2009 and a Little Beyond
DNA/biotech/synthetic biology, nanotechnology topics are here
Energy and transportation
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)