I ll start : I have been following a pretty known tech/Linux journalist, and always found he is a fun dude to listen to, with interesting tech takes
The fact that he is also very openly “american conservative” (aka, religious & weapon nut, anti abortion, etc) annoys me, but i keep those things separate. And he does keep it separate too (politics channel vs tech channel), which is a great decision.
The Russians. I’m against war, not living in Russia, working and paying taxes elsewhere. It was hard to make peace with myself, as you have to rip the vision of your country into two pieces - the first is the culture, places where you lived, your friends. The second is an insane killing machine called “the state”. Have to learn not to associate yourself with that second half.
The support from many people, from here and from other countries, including a couple of Ukrainian friends (takes time to prove that you’re “normal”), really helped.
Sorry for everything, I hope the old man will die soon.
That is a great approach, congrats you’re pulling it off so well. Maybe the fact that you actually learned the culture, people and places in person helps with the distinction. I have two acquaintances who carry Russian passports but have never been there. And their view of Russia is… absolutely wild, in my opinion. They love bunker grandpa and any criticism of Russia’s imperialist aggression is always countered with a chuckle, oh you westerners simply don’t understand Russia… But I suppose they, living in the comfort of a western European country, devouring nationalist Telegram channels and Russia1 live streams, do.