We’ve got some more great articles coming over the next couple of weeks but every now and again it’s fun to just do something a bit less serious so go ahead, ask me anything!
I’ll be online over the next couple of hours to answer questions :)
I've seen occasions where you note that X or Y social problem is due to (or linked to) a technological development, but have you explored the problem of technology in and of itself, with thinkers such as M.Heidegger, Lewis Mumford, J.Ellul, T.Kaczynski, Ivan Illich, or Chellis Glendinning? It's the one thing nobody is talking about but should be.
What do you find is the greatest insight of The Gulag Archipelago? I read it during lockdown after putting it off for many years and it definitely helped make sense of the situation we find ourselves in. That people with good intentions can make very bad decisions.
What a great question. I think there are several things that people miss, actually.
First, Solzhenitsyn talks about the end of his pride when he is stripped of his rank and sent to the camps after being an officer. It seems to me there's a reason that Pride is one of the deadly sins and we're all susceptible to it to varying degrees. I certainly am and try to be aware of.
Second, his famous quote, "The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts."
Third is how during rebellions in the camps when the authorities were no longer in control the political prisoners did not engage in violence, rape or other craziness. Instead they sang songs, made art and otherwise aspired to higher things. This was shocking and impressive to me.
For sure, I find the elderly woman who, knowing that she was in real danger, still said:
“There is nothing you can do to me, even if you cut me into little pieces. For you are afraid of your bosses, and you are afraid of each other, and you’re even afraid of me. But I would be glad to be judged by God right this minute.”
That really hit me hard. Although I love his quote about the line between good and evil going through the human heart and it’s very true, I noticed what lead up to it was more interesting.
“It would be easy to blame the people in charge for taking our freedoms away, that if we could just get rid of them, freedom would be born again in the hearts of every citizen, but the truth is we’re all to blame.”
No one gets let off the hook. It’s a consequence of the downfall of pride that you’re talking about to realize. To know that you simply can’t blame someone else for what is going wrong.
Psychology and attitudes goes some way to offer hypotheses, research as to why people in lockstep comply. Check out the Kitty Genovese bystander effect.
A student of mine had this response about which side to step to when faced with taking the side of bad or lining up against the wall to take a bullet for good and I quote, "your pride, your good is nothing, you can do noting, if you are dead."
But as I countered, so what next, if you step aside, do not take the bullet?
He said, I survive and live with my decision.
I asked, how? How can you live with this decision?
He replied: "by being the change I want to see in the world, playing the game as there is more than one way to skin a bad rat and for me it is not thinking with my heart but my head."
What has been the most unexpected reaction by media coverage/critics to any perspective or content covered in An Immigrant's Love Letter to the West?
I'm currently finishing a book of my own and finding that readers pull impressions and meaning from the words in way I didn't expect or intend. I'm curious what questions or feedback you've received since your book's release that may have surprised you!
I hear so much commentary on the refutation of specific elements of what I would characterize the "Attack of the Critical Consciousness" aka the woke assaults on key foundations of civilization (examples: free speech, free markets, free thought, equal protection under law & personal responsibility for violent actions)--and Triggernometry has done a sterling job exposing those lies.
However, at some point to win the war of ideas we need to pay attention to the strategic situation and address the purpose and end goal behind the Attack: in my opinion which is to demoralize our civilization and unhook our minds from values that allow us to judge truth and track progress in any capacity--so that the people then in power can do what they want and feed us just enough reality to keep us confused and/or compliant.
Far from dueling personal preferences or "culture war" nonsense, this rises to the level of existential threat to civilization leading to a new dark age that if we don't self-course correct, will only be corrected for us by a more confident alternative civilization via direct violence.
Is my concern overblown or how do you see the macro picture? Are there interviews I may have missed that make this case?
Wow this is cool that you reply to the fans. Love the show. Love you and Francis. The way you bounce off each other is incredibaly entertaining on the Raw shows. I also really like when you are on debate shows or on shows when you are asked to defend you view point KK, you are really rational and get your point across very strongly. Ok my Question... I use to have the Roger Scruton position that those on the far left were mearly wrong, where as they viewed me as a Evil. But im starting to view my political opponents as Evil too, when it comes to CRT I view those who espouse its beliefs as racists. When it comes to kids transition I view those who support that as supporting child abuse. Its almost like I am adopting the "woke" dictonary. What worrys me is I see small wins in the culture war but I still believe we are heading in the wrong dirrection with a few steps back here and there. Like me do you think things are going to get worse for a long time? I think at least 10 or more years shifting this way with things escalating more and more.
Black and white thinking comes naturally to human beings. You have to work really hard not to turn people you disagree with into people you consider evil. All of us have the instinct so we all have to personally challenge ourselves to assume the best in people but also learn to see genuine evil which also exists. I think things will keep getting worse but progress will also be made in countering it.
That I don't define the West and the title is therefore a bit weird. The title is a compromise because "An Immigrant's Love Letter to the Anglosphere" isn't nearly as sexy.
Why would you need to define the West? After all, I think many know what the West is compared to places that are not the West, or could it be, those asking for a definition are just being a tad pedantic...
Still not read your book Konstantin, but I very much look forward to doing so once Father Christmas has delivered, Christimouse morning! Eek! Joy! Yuletide turns to readtide fest...hi ho ho ho
Sort of a ridiculous question but nobody can ever answer this. As someone of Lithuanian decent I never think of a Russian accent, or Baltic, Slavic etc... accent as low in tone. Why do people, including you, put on a lower voice when doing an imitation of an Eastern European? I have always wondered this. Is it a case where the "villain" in movies has kinda influenced reality? Or do these languages actually produce lower tones?
Which language you speak actually influences your personality in my experience. And the Russian personality is generally one that produces lower tones :) At least mine is :)
Although I'm sure they could both do well on their own - albeit in somewhat different ways - I'm hoping they will stay together, for at least 5 years, as they compliment each other so well.
The Far East Federal District of Russia has a population of just over 6 million. Estimates of the non-resident Chinese in this area range from 400,000 to 900,000. As time passes - and some of these folks have been there for over 20 years - what is the likelihood that this immigration wave will influence the political alignment of the area. Turks resident in Germany don't have voting rights after generations while Mexican immigrants to the US acquire them rapidly. This influx must be a consideration of both Xi and Putin. How do you see it affecting the long term relationship of the two countries - and the natural resource exploitation of the area.
I worked in the Russian Far East and Northern China off / on for a 20 year period. Both regions have changed a lot during that time. I've been out of the area for the past 10 years and presume that the modernization and demographic trajectories have continued roughly the same. It's a topic that isn't discussed much in the US (immigration being a third rail regardless of location). It'll be interesting to see how that plays out eventually.
It's been coming for a while as the Ukrainians have continually degraded their ability to resupply. Apparently Surovikin made the decision when he was appointed and has been preparing for this since. It makes sense because holding the west bank of the Dnieper makes no sense unless you intend to push forward. It's very difficult to hold otherwise.
I've been very touched to see footage of people welcoming Ukrainian troops back into the city as well. But it ain't over, obviously.
Konstantin, The Duran is a channel on Locals which many people follow to get a view of e.g. the war in Ukraine without (they hope) the bias of either the Western or Russian media. Would you consider interviewing one of the presenters? (Alexander, though Greek, may be based in UK, judging by his accent).
What is your take on the corruption in Ukraine is it likely to improve now that there seems to be a very high level of national pride in Ukraine, maybe a lessoning of the me myself and I attitudes that often lead to corruption ?.
When Zelensky was elected in 2019 he attempted to deal with it, including complete overhaul of policing etc. Changing the culture is difficult but I think the war, where everyone has to pull together, will give them a push.
But we shouldn't expect too much - Ukraine is a former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe! Of course it's going to be corrupt.
Corruption is bad but it's never been a determinant of whom we help. Think of the original Lend Lease act which gave gazillions to Stalin's USSR and China - would anyone now say that was a mistake?
Ukraine is a former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe! Of course it's corrupt! But it's in OUR interest for them to win and that's why we're helping them.
Konstantin, maybe you've seen the recent Academic Freedom Conference at Stanford - an alarming overview of how the woke wave is derailing academia, from teaching to research, from humanities to STEM. Most interesting was the debate on if and how this can be turned around; some said it's too late, other that the only way is by starting new universities. Would love to hear your take on the issue.
I don't know if it is or isn't too late. We have to keep looking for ways to not only preserve but celebrate and build on Enlightnment values and mesh them with whatever other cultural tools we need to face the future.
For something a bit less serious yet paradoxically effective > would you be interested in seeing our new book, Almost Happy: Pushing your buttons with reverse psychology by Dr. Brian Kaplan and Hephzibah Kaplan? It uses neohumour - the conscious use of humour and reverse psychology to provoke personal growth. It is edgy, provocative and funny. Loads to say but keen on getting more exposure for something that some people just don't get! hephzi.kaplan@gmail.com
Please comment n the current USA election reality which seems to be “…’slow-rolling’vote-counting…gives the cheaters the necessary time to count how many ballots they need to beat the Republican candidate and then to manufacture those ballots — or to disappear the necessary number of GOP ballots,”
I honestly haven't had time to pay attention to it - we are currently building a new studio for TRIGGERnometry and both me and Francis have a lot of personal things going on. I don't know much about it but I do think generally-speaking claims of election cheating are overblown, as they were in 2016, for example.
That's not to say that people don't try to illegally influence elections but they rarely have any impact on the outcome. Michael writes about it very well here:
To me, the biggest election interference in recent times was the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story rather than ballot tampering or whatever.
I do think a modern democracy should be able to count votes on the day though. If Brazil can do it, I reckon the US can too.
Nov 14, 2022·edited Nov 14, 2022Liked by Konstantin Kisin
Do you think western society will continue to disintegrate or have enough people been made aware of the problems we face and do they have the intelligence to see a way out of this and the spine to see their plans through to fruition?
Russian revolution was over 100 years ago…people of staggering courage ended up in gulags where so many died. People still get radioactive tea or disappear or get re-educated in Russia. We have waited and we can see who comes out on top. Power does ugly things. Always.
Depends on what you mean by "survive" and on what happens next. If the conflict ended right now, he could remain President for a long time. And yes, he called up the Chechens right away.
In a recent article, you referred to ‘the West’ when I think you meant the US government (and its loyal supporters, such as the UK government). The US government is not the same as the US people. Nor is the UK government the same as the UK people, etc. Some people ruled by the UK government support its involvement in the Ukraine war, some are against it. Your message would be that much clearer if you could avoid saying ‘the West’ or ‘the UK’ when you mean the government of one or more nation states.
All words are generalisations. You could argue that Russian people aren't all at war with Ukraine therefore we shouldn't say Russia invaded Ukraine. They are shorthand. But at the core of it, you're right.
I feel like I'm beating a dead horse as no one wants to discuss this, but energy and our energy blindness is problematic to me. Have you reached out to Tim Watkins or Nate Hagens on this issue? Would you?
What do you think a large influx of Ukrainians is going to do to the sociopolitical landscape in Western Europe if they settle there, particularly in small countries like Ireland where some have projected they'll account for a 4% increase in the population before the war is finished?
Very hard to say. Assimilation is easier when people are seen as refugees, speak the language, have similar values and customs. Immigration can be good or bad depending on how it is handled. Also, don't forget, a lot of Ukrainians will be desperate to go back when the war is over.
Ireland is arguably the wokest country in Europe. I'm hoping they tilt the demographics in a conservative direction that will displease the current regime.
I take action as best I can to prevent it. As my father always says to me "Do your duty come what may". Also, having my son helps as I look at him and think, perhaps naively, that he can make a positive impact on the world.
Thank you. I am trying to speak up more, share more information and use my buying power to influence things in the direction I would like. I guess we do what we can.
Why do you think some of those on GB News like Calvin Robinson and Dominique Samuels so openly hostile to Ukraine and tacitly supportive of Putin? Is it that they just think anyone with nukes must be yielded to?
I try not to talk about individuals on this stuff. Generally, the anti-woke right is prone to oppositional thinking in general. The woke support the current think, the anti-woke oppose it. If the mainstream media were all pro-Russian, I suspect a lot of the "ZeLeNskY is a JeWiSh NaZi" crowd would all be on Ukraine's side.
The problem is that Ukraine and Russia are two "bad guys" fighting it out, and some British taxpayers, such as myself, object to our taxes being used to support a notoriously corrupt country such as Ukraine. You may have heard that a pile of cash sent to Ukraine by the UK was 'reinvested' by Ukraine in the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. UK taxpayers' money down the drain! Putin was not entirely wrong when he motivated the attack on Ukraine as an operation of de-Nazification. There is a strong fascist movement in Ukraine, particularly in the army (Azov battalion). So it's not a "black-and-white" situation.
I don't know enough about it but I doubt it tbh. Russia may lack the strength to overwhelm Ukraine, backed by NATO, in an aggressive war but the same will never be true of defeating Georgia. But I don't know enough about it.
I'd really really really like you to interview British journalist/documentary maker Adam Curtis. His work is really extraordinary and very relevant to today and the future.
Also when do we get to see another picture of little Nichola?
Would love to interview him as well! We've asked him on several times and he's always declined saying he doesn't like interviews and likes his privacy which is fair enough.
Would you and Francis consider having a guest on discussing Irish reunification? The partition of Ireland seems to be a badly misunderstood issue in Britain and I don't feel it gets a fair hearing. I feel with your interviewing style you could approach this question with the impartiality and balance that is often absent on the question of United Ireland.
It's a brilliant idea! As a UK resident, i have been very curious about it. From what I know, geographically and practically, a united Ireland makes lot of sense but somehow it it viewed treasonous in England. Would be curious to know how the Irish side feels about it.
Personally, I'm a supporter of Irish reunification for practical and economic reasons as well it ending the historical injustice of partition(which happened to ensure an undemocratic 2 to 1 protestant majority in the North). If Triggernometry did decide to cover this then it might be best to approach it the same way they did with abortion i.e. One episode interviewing a guest in favour and another episode featuring a commentator who's opposed.
Ideas, yes but not so much for a book - I am more motivated to write shorter pieces on Substack right now. A lot more fun and also makes more sense commercially.
Do you think that the members of Putin's 'cabinet' all have the same objectives as he, or is it likely he has enemies close by awaiting an appropriate opportunity?
Thoughts on Calvin Robinson going over to the dark side on Russia-Ukraine? He seemed really lovely when you interviewed him. Sad to see him posting about how the war is all a big money laundering operation started by the CIA.
I find it hard to reconcile being a lovely person with the claim that Russia invaded Ukraine as part of a CIA plot to launder money. Not even on political grounds, just on basic rationality
But not impossible to reconcile the two. I knew a lovely person from my work in addiction counseling. He fervently believed 9/11 was an inside job. Like illuminati, freemasons. The full monty.
But he was genuinely lovely, though profoundly misguided
There appears to be at least a kernel of truth in the US government using Ukraine to launder money and influence. The recent collapse of the FTX exchange is bringing the links connecting all these players to light. We have known for several years that Victoria Newland and her crew in the US State Department were up to their elbows in the 2014 coup and in 'influencing' the place since. Please note that I'm not taking sides in who governs Ukraine, I'm excoriating my own government for their involvement. I do believe Father Calvin is essentially correct in what he said.
I will, however, admit to not being nearly as lovely a human as he is. ;)
If you think what he said is essentially correct then you and I differ on this point. And that's fine.
On the spectrum between "USA bears zero responsibility for anything bad" and "USA bears sole responsibility for everything bad" his comments on twitter have veered radically towards the latter.
It's the denial of agency to anyone who isn't the USA that really gets me.
You are spot-on with that take. I don't believe there are any innocents in any of these government's or NGO's. Everyone of the powerful individuals involved are concerned with their own interests. Sadly, the citizens of Ukraine and some of the soldiers on both sides are bearing the cost.
I think you and others misunderstand (if I may say so) when it is alluded that the CIA has its fingerprints all over the Russia-Ukraine war. Nobody is accusing Rusia of colluding with the CIA or vice versa. What they are saying is that the CIA sets into motion sequence of events that other parties/nations, knowingly or unknowingly participate in and which ultimately leads to the desired outcome by the CIA / Millitary Industrial Complex.
Russia had its own reasons for invading and continuing with the war. But it not totally unthinkable that CIA worked behind the scene to bring it to that point for whatever nefarious purposes they had in mind. They do it all the time. E.g. there is an explosion in Nord Stream gas pipeline. The Western media blames Russia as the most likely culprit. People in the know think otherwise and have reasons to believe US might be behind this. A few weeks later, countries like UK are placing bulk orders with the US for energy as the price increases and profits soar. So think again, who really benefited from the explosion - Russia or the US? So who has a more compelling motive to engage in such activities?
I don't think there's a universal thing that works for everyone. I have studied NLP, Hypnotherapy, meditation, done various courses such as Landmark Forum and worked with personal development coaches. Start somewhere and keep trying things until you find what works.
I always enjoy hearing about your family. Have you any tales of your grandma, she sounds lovely and of anyone else in your family who have anecdotes which you like to think about or have helped you become what you are today? Thank you.
It's nearly 16 years since my grandfather died. He was a wonderfully kind and, above all, wise man.
My favourite story about him: when I was about 11 me and a bunch of cousins aged 10-16 spent the summer at my grandparents' farm in Ukraine.
There was no room for us in the house so we all slept in the hay barn, far from any adult supervision. One night, one of the older cousins somehow procured a small bottle of vodka (none of us having tried it before). I don't remember us drinking it, which is strong evidence that we did.
The next day, the youngest cousin told grandma everything. She, very concerned, told my grandfather.
He was devastated. He said "Katya, we must be terrible grandparents... they didn't even invite us to drink with them!"
That's absolutely brilliant. What lovely grandparents you have/ had. Same thing! They sound fantastic. Thank you for that, KK. So appreciated. More please?!?! X
Wonderful! It's too late to ask in this session, but I'd love to know when in your life you wanted wisdom, knowledge, etc. than most people around you, and weren't afraid to go after it. Did you grow up feeling different from those around you? I did.
It's very likely that, even if we're right (and we are) about most things, there will be some things we've got wrong. What do you think that might be? Might everyone come around to the idea that trans women are real women? Or something else? Free speech?
Very hard to answer without knowing who "we" are in this question. The one thing I think a lot of people on "my" side of the argument oversimplify is free speech online. It's more complicated than "just let people say what they want" - that's why it's such a battleground issue.
Have you heard of George Gammon The Rebel Capitalist? Well worth looking him up - he did a documentary about how to work at McDonalds; be an Uber Driver & flip small pick up trucks can help you improve your lot. He pays his rent, food etc from the money he earns & in 2021 explains the dangers of digital currency
I can’t think of anything upbeat right now. The UK is run by high tax WEF stooges, and the US is a banana republic. Soon we’lll fold to flight and mileage rationing, be forced to carry digital identification, be taxed to the hilt for the poor to survive on UBI, and the young will never own their own home.
Ok, if I have one question .. will Arsenal win the PL?
Once in a billion years I think of a routine and imagine saying it on stage and getting laughs. Then I imagine driving for 2 hours to a gig and 2 hours back and decide it's not worth it.
I currently have no desire to do stand-up but I am also not ruling it out.
🫣😂! Brits have no idea about the dynamics of this conflict and spew out naive platitudes about it. Once the US grows bored and sick of this dispute they will drop Ukraine like a hot potato. Ukrainians are blind to this!
Beyond the war in Ukraine, Ukraine and Russia are two countries in each others nearest proximity with Russians having Ukrainian friends and relatives and vice versa. What do you think will a reconciliation look like?
It really depends on your circumstances and how many people you're providing for. Average salary in the UK is around £38,000 I believe which you can definitely live comfortably on as a single person. A family of 4, not so much.
The average 2 income family of 4 in the USA lives on 59-63k. Both parents often have to work, but I'd argue a lot has to do with lifestyle and poor money management.
Would you ever consider interviewing Dave Ramsey the financial personality here in the USA?
Sent this to your DM, don’t have an email for you for the podcast invite but - “what’s your stance on Ukraine Civil war in the east? What about Obvious US involvement in the 2013/14 coup and continued interest in ousting Putin. They’ve forever been involved in regime change wars and I see this as no different! I’ve watched a lot of Putin speeches and films including Oliver stones Putin interviews. He appears more reasonable and logical than the western leaders
2 hours later, it's a wrap. Thank you for playing everyone. We'll do another one of these!
I appreciate that you answered my question. Thanks.
Just a thanks to you all at Triggernometry from a couple of Birkdale pensioners. Really enjoyed the last couple of years. Cheers
I've seen occasions where you note that X or Y social problem is due to (or linked to) a technological development, but have you explored the problem of technology in and of itself, with thinkers such as M.Heidegger, Lewis Mumford, J.Ellul, T.Kaczynski, Ivan Illich, or Chellis Glendinning? It's the one thing nobody is talking about but should be.
Fascinating. I've read briefly about this, especially Kaczynski but need to read more.
What do you find is the greatest insight of The Gulag Archipelago? I read it during lockdown after putting it off for many years and it definitely helped make sense of the situation we find ourselves in. That people with good intentions can make very bad decisions.
What a great question. I think there are several things that people miss, actually.
First, Solzhenitsyn talks about the end of his pride when he is stripped of his rank and sent to the camps after being an officer. It seems to me there's a reason that Pride is one of the deadly sins and we're all susceptible to it to varying degrees. I certainly am and try to be aware of.
Second, his famous quote, "The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts."
Third is how during rebellions in the camps when the authorities were no longer in control the political prisoners did not engage in violence, rape or other craziness. Instead they sang songs, made art and otherwise aspired to higher things. This was shocking and impressive to me.
For sure, I find the elderly woman who, knowing that she was in real danger, still said:
“There is nothing you can do to me, even if you cut me into little pieces. For you are afraid of your bosses, and you are afraid of each other, and you’re even afraid of me. But I would be glad to be judged by God right this minute.”
That really hit me hard. Although I love his quote about the line between good and evil going through the human heart and it’s very true, I noticed what lead up to it was more interesting.
“It would be easy to blame the people in charge for taking our freedoms away, that if we could just get rid of them, freedom would be born again in the hearts of every citizen, but the truth is we’re all to blame.”
No one gets let off the hook. It’s a consequence of the downfall of pride that you’re talking about to realize. To know that you simply can’t blame someone else for what is going wrong.
Psychology and attitudes goes some way to offer hypotheses, research as to why people in lockstep comply. Check out the Kitty Genovese bystander effect.
A student of mine had this response about which side to step to when faced with taking the side of bad or lining up against the wall to take a bullet for good and I quote, "your pride, your good is nothing, you can do noting, if you are dead."
But as I countered, so what next, if you step aside, do not take the bullet?
He said, I survive and live with my decision.
I asked, how? How can you live with this decision?
He replied: "by being the change I want to see in the world, playing the game as there is more than one way to skin a bad rat and for me it is not thinking with my heart but my head."
Konstantin,
What has been the most unexpected reaction by media coverage/critics to any perspective or content covered in An Immigrant's Love Letter to the West?
I'm currently finishing a book of my own and finding that readers pull impressions and meaning from the words in way I didn't expect or intend. I'm curious what questions or feedback you've received since your book's release that may have surprised you!
--
Richard
It's a great question but I have no answer to it, tbh. I haven't really been surprised by anything people have asked...
I hear so much commentary on the refutation of specific elements of what I would characterize the "Attack of the Critical Consciousness" aka the woke assaults on key foundations of civilization (examples: free speech, free markets, free thought, equal protection under law & personal responsibility for violent actions)--and Triggernometry has done a sterling job exposing those lies.
However, at some point to win the war of ideas we need to pay attention to the strategic situation and address the purpose and end goal behind the Attack: in my opinion which is to demoralize our civilization and unhook our minds from values that allow us to judge truth and track progress in any capacity--so that the people then in power can do what they want and feed us just enough reality to keep us confused and/or compliant.
Far from dueling personal preferences or "culture war" nonsense, this rises to the level of existential threat to civilization leading to a new dark age that if we don't self-course correct, will only be corrected for us by a more confident alternative civilization via direct violence.
Is my concern overblown or how do you see the macro picture? Are there interviews I may have missed that make this case?
I think you're exactly right. I made this very point in several interviews, notably with Megyn Kelly and on Joe Rogan as well.
Wow this is cool that you reply to the fans. Love the show. Love you and Francis. The way you bounce off each other is incredibaly entertaining on the Raw shows. I also really like when you are on debate shows or on shows when you are asked to defend you view point KK, you are really rational and get your point across very strongly. Ok my Question... I use to have the Roger Scruton position that those on the far left were mearly wrong, where as they viewed me as a Evil. But im starting to view my political opponents as Evil too, when it comes to CRT I view those who espouse its beliefs as racists. When it comes to kids transition I view those who support that as supporting child abuse. Its almost like I am adopting the "woke" dictonary. What worrys me is I see small wins in the culture war but I still believe we are heading in the wrong dirrection with a few steps back here and there. Like me do you think things are going to get worse for a long time? I think at least 10 or more years shifting this way with things escalating more and more.
Black and white thinking comes naturally to human beings. You have to work really hard not to turn people you disagree with into people you consider evil. All of us have the instinct so we all have to personally challenge ourselves to assume the best in people but also learn to see genuine evil which also exists. I think things will keep getting worse but progress will also be made in countering it.
What's been the criticism of your book that you agree with?
That I don't define the West and the title is therefore a bit weird. The title is a compromise because "An Immigrant's Love Letter to the Anglosphere" isn't nearly as sexy.
Why would you need to define the West? After all, I think many know what the West is compared to places that are not the West, or could it be, those asking for a definition are just being a tad pedantic...
Still not read your book Konstantin, but I very much look forward to doing so once Father Christmas has delivered, Christimouse morning! Eek! Joy! Yuletide turns to readtide fest...hi ho ho ho
Sort of a ridiculous question but nobody can ever answer this. As someone of Lithuanian decent I never think of a Russian accent, or Baltic, Slavic etc... accent as low in tone. Why do people, including you, put on a lower voice when doing an imitation of an Eastern European? I have always wondered this. Is it a case where the "villain" in movies has kinda influenced reality? Or do these languages actually produce lower tones?
Which language you speak actually influences your personality in my experience. And the Russian personality is generally one that produces lower tones :) At least mine is :)
Do you and Francis have a 5 year plan? I'm delighted for your success so far and hope there's a long and prosperous future ahead.
Right now we have about a 1 month plan! And thank you for your kind wishes.
Although I'm sure they could both do well on their own - albeit in somewhat different ways - I'm hoping they will stay together, for at least 5 years, as they compliment each other so well.
The Far East Federal District of Russia has a population of just over 6 million. Estimates of the non-resident Chinese in this area range from 400,000 to 900,000. As time passes - and some of these folks have been there for over 20 years - what is the likelihood that this immigration wave will influence the political alignment of the area. Turks resident in Germany don't have voting rights after generations while Mexican immigrants to the US acquire them rapidly. This influx must be a consideration of both Xi and Putin. How do you see it affecting the long term relationship of the two countries - and the natural resource exploitation of the area.
Great question but above my paygrade sadly!
I worked in the Russian Far East and Northern China off / on for a 20 year period. Both regions have changed a lot during that time. I've been out of the area for the past 10 years and presume that the modernization and demographic trajectories have continued roughly the same. It's a topic that isn't discussed much in the US (immigration being a third rail regardless of location). It'll be interesting to see how that plays out eventually.
What’s your view on the Russian ‘Kherson withdrawal ‘
It's been coming for a while as the Ukrainians have continually degraded their ability to resupply. Apparently Surovikin made the decision when he was appointed and has been preparing for this since. It makes sense because holding the west bank of the Dnieper makes no sense unless you intend to push forward. It's very difficult to hold otherwise.
I've been very touched to see footage of people welcoming Ukrainian troops back into the city as well. But it ain't over, obviously.
Name three books or stories (movies are also fine) in general that you find compelling and say why. Curious about your taste!
A Conflict of Visions (book) - describes how people divide themselves along belief lines.
Clous Atlas (movie) - beautiful reminder of the fact that all human beings are connected.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior (book) - a book that changed my life.
Konstantin, The Duran is a channel on Locals which many people follow to get a view of e.g. the war in Ukraine without (they hope) the bias of either the Western or Russian media. Would you consider interviewing one of the presenters? (Alexander, though Greek, may be based in UK, judging by his accent).
I have seen their content. Pure Russian propaganda for gullible Westerners.
Yes? Ok. I respect your opinion on the matter. Though I think you are aware that the Western mainstream media is not exactly unbiased these days.
The Western media are extremely biased but thankfully that isn't where I get my news on this subject!
Have you ever seen this btw?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ZY3VWYKzQ
Yep, I saw that one when it was first broadcast, and I appreciated it very much, thank you.
What is your take on the corruption in Ukraine is it likely to improve now that there seems to be a very high level of national pride in Ukraine, maybe a lessoning of the me myself and I attitudes that often lead to corruption ?.
When Zelensky was elected in 2019 he attempted to deal with it, including complete overhaul of policing etc. Changing the culture is difficult but I think the war, where everyone has to pull together, will give them a push.
But we shouldn't expect too much - Ukraine is a former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe! Of course it's going to be corrupt.
Can you steelman the concern over the corruption behind the western aid to Ukraine? How much should we trust Zelensky and does that even matter?
Corruption is bad but it's never been a determinant of whom we help. Think of the original Lend Lease act which gave gazillions to Stalin's USSR and China - would anyone now say that was a mistake?
Ukraine is a former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe! Of course it's corrupt! But it's in OUR interest for them to win and that's why we're helping them.
Konstantin, maybe you've seen the recent Academic Freedom Conference at Stanford - an alarming overview of how the woke wave is derailing academia, from teaching to research, from humanities to STEM. Most interesting was the debate on if and how this can be turned around; some said it's too late, other that the only way is by starting new universities. Would love to hear your take on the issue.
I don't know if it is or isn't too late. We have to keep looking for ways to not only preserve but celebrate and build on Enlightnment values and mesh them with whatever other cultural tools we need to face the future.
Fully agree. Let's keep pushing. Thanks Konstantin
For something a bit less serious yet paradoxically effective > would you be interested in seeing our new book, Almost Happy: Pushing your buttons with reverse psychology by Dr. Brian Kaplan and Hephzibah Kaplan? It uses neohumour - the conscious use of humour and reverse psychology to provoke personal growth. It is edgy, provocative and funny. Loads to say but keen on getting more exposure for something that some people just don't get! hephzi.kaplan@gmail.com
Email us at triggernometrypod@gmail.com and we'll take a look.
Please comment n the current USA election reality which seems to be “…’slow-rolling’vote-counting…gives the cheaters the necessary time to count how many ballots they need to beat the Republican candidate and then to manufacture those ballots — or to disappear the necessary number of GOP ballots,”
I honestly haven't had time to pay attention to it - we are currently building a new studio for TRIGGERnometry and both me and Francis have a lot of personal things going on. I don't know much about it but I do think generally-speaking claims of election cheating are overblown, as they were in 2016, for example.
That's not to say that people don't try to illegally influence elections but they rarely have any impact on the outcome. Michael writes about it very well here:
https://michaelshellenberger.substack.com/p/democracy-wasnt-on-the-ballot-extremism
To me, the biggest election interference in recent times was the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story rather than ballot tampering or whatever.
I do think a modern democracy should be able to count votes on the day though. If Brazil can do it, I reckon the US can too.
2000 Mules pretty compelling movie ~
Do you think western society will continue to disintegrate or have enough people been made aware of the problems we face and do they have the intelligence to see a way out of this and the spine to see their plans through to fruition?
Both, I suspect. The disintegration will continue but a response is already taking shape and we just have to wait and see who comes out on top.
Russian revolution was over 100 years ago…people of staggering courage ended up in gulags where so many died. People still get radioactive tea or disappear or get re-educated in Russia. We have waited and we can see who comes out on top. Power does ugly things. Always.
Would you rather get bummed by a horse and nobody knows about it or not get bummed by a horse but everyone thinks that you did?
(sorry, standard AMA question)
I leave horse bumming questions to the professionals (Welsh, Kiwis etc).
What happens in Russia after the loss of Kherson?
Seems like a huge defeat and humiliation.
Can Putin survive?
Depends on what you mean by "survive" and on what happens next. If the conflict ended right now, he could remain President for a long time. And yes, he called up the Chechens right away.
Thanks.
Would love your explanation of that. Beyond how bad the Russia he inherited was.
Is it along the lines of the elite fears his replacement could also lead to theirs?
I think he is calling up the Chechens. KK will know these people better than I do. Putin is not stupid, or lacking in funds.
As I recall, he called up the Chechens months ago.
And the Ukrainians killed half of them before they got to Ukraine and another half within a week. 🤣
If that's his answer, he's in very big trouble.
In a recent article, you referred to ‘the West’ when I think you meant the US government (and its loyal supporters, such as the UK government). The US government is not the same as the US people. Nor is the UK government the same as the UK people, etc. Some people ruled by the UK government support its involvement in the Ukraine war, some are against it. Your message would be that much clearer if you could avoid saying ‘the West’ or ‘the UK’ when you mean the government of one or more nation states.
All words are generalisations. You could argue that Russian people aren't all at war with Ukraine therefore we shouldn't say Russia invaded Ukraine. They are shorthand. But at the core of it, you're right.
Thanks for offering us a chat.
Thank you for participating! :)
I feel like I'm beating a dead horse as no one wants to discuss this, but energy and our energy blindness is problematic to me. Have you reached out to Tim Watkins or Nate Hagens on this issue? Would you?
I couldn't agree with you more that this is a key issue. For guest suggestions please email triggernometrypod@gmail.com
Fired one off to you. Have a great day KK.
What do you think a large influx of Ukrainians is going to do to the sociopolitical landscape in Western Europe if they settle there, particularly in small countries like Ireland where some have projected they'll account for a 4% increase in the population before the war is finished?
Very hard to say. Assimilation is easier when people are seen as refugees, speak the language, have similar values and customs. Immigration can be good or bad depending on how it is handled. Also, don't forget, a lot of Ukrainians will be desperate to go back when the war is over.
Ireland is arguably the wokest country in Europe. I'm hoping they tilt the demographics in a conservative direction that will displease the current regime.
How do you keep yourself from becoming too despondent and hopeless given the deterioration of things you value?
I take action as best I can to prevent it. As my father always says to me "Do your duty come what may". Also, having my son helps as I look at him and think, perhaps naively, that he can make a positive impact on the world.
Thank you. I am trying to speak up more, share more information and use my buying power to influence things in the direction I would like. I guess we do what we can.
Why do you think some of those on GB News like Calvin Robinson and Dominique Samuels so openly hostile to Ukraine and tacitly supportive of Putin? Is it that they just think anyone with nukes must be yielded to?
I try not to talk about individuals on this stuff. Generally, the anti-woke right is prone to oppositional thinking in general. The woke support the current think, the anti-woke oppose it. If the mainstream media were all pro-Russian, I suspect a lot of the "ZeLeNskY is a JeWiSh NaZi" crowd would all be on Ukraine's side.
The problem is that Ukraine and Russia are two "bad guys" fighting it out, and some British taxpayers, such as myself, object to our taxes being used to support a notoriously corrupt country such as Ukraine. You may have heard that a pile of cash sent to Ukraine by the UK was 'reinvested' by Ukraine in the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. UK taxpayers' money down the drain! Putin was not entirely wrong when he motivated the attack on Ukraine as an operation of de-Nazification. There is a strong fascist movement in Ukraine, particularly in the army (Azov battalion). So it's not a "black-and-white" situation.
Did you see Dave Chapelles monologue? Do you think it was anti-semitic at all? I think he explained part of Trumps appeal brilliantly
I haven't. If I have time during this AMA, I'll go watch it and come back here with an answer.
do you think this war could expand once its clear Russia is loosing to other breakaway republics? could Georgia try to gain back lost territory?
I don't know enough about it but I doubt it tbh. Russia may lack the strength to overwhelm Ukraine, backed by NATO, in an aggressive war but the same will never be true of defeating Georgia. But I don't know enough about it.
I'd really really really like you to interview British journalist/documentary maker Adam Curtis. His work is really extraordinary and very relevant to today and the future.
Also when do we get to see another picture of little Nichola?
Would love to interview him as well! We've asked him on several times and he's always declined saying he doesn't like interviews and likes his privacy which is fair enough.
I'll be sure to post some more Nikolai content.
Would you and Francis consider having a guest on discussing Irish reunification? The partition of Ireland seems to be a badly misunderstood issue in Britain and I don't feel it gets a fair hearing. I feel with your interviewing style you could approach this question with the impartiality and balance that is often absent on the question of United Ireland.
Great idea.
It's a brilliant idea! As a UK resident, i have been very curious about it. From what I know, geographically and practically, a united Ireland makes lot of sense but somehow it it viewed treasonous in England. Would be curious to know how the Irish side feels about it.
Personally, I'm a supporter of Irish reunification for practical and economic reasons as well it ending the historical injustice of partition(which happened to ensure an undemocratic 2 to 1 protestant majority in the North). If Triggernometry did decide to cover this then it might be best to approach it the same way they did with abortion i.e. One episode interviewing a guest in favour and another episode featuring a commentator who's opposed.
Are you working on any other books, or developing some ideas in your mind?
Ideas, yes but not so much for a book - I am more motivated to write shorter pieces on Substack right now. A lot more fun and also makes more sense commercially.
Also, a safer place to explore and experiment with ideas, while continuing to grow a steady income from backers, month-on-month.
Do you think that the members of Putin's 'cabinet' all have the same objectives as he, or is it likely he has enemies close by awaiting an appropriate opportunity?
No members of any cabinet have the same objectives as the leader ;)
Thoughts on Calvin Robinson going over to the dark side on Russia-Ukraine? He seemed really lovely when you interviewed him. Sad to see him posting about how the war is all a big money laundering operation started by the CIA.
Someone asked similar below. I don't want to comment on individuals but it saddens me for sure to see smart people falling for BS.
Must it be one-or-the-other?
1. Russia was malevolent in its actions prosecuting this war.
2. Ukraine has a reputation for being one of the most corrupt nations on earth.
3. The United States is equally corrupt in many of its recent actions.
All these statements are equally true and none negates the others.
BTW - I'm an American and believe statement 3 to be absolutely true.
I find it hard to reconcile being a lovely person with the claim that Russia invaded Ukraine as part of a CIA plot to launder money. Not even on political grounds, just on basic rationality
But not impossible to reconcile the two. I knew a lovely person from my work in addiction counseling. He fervently believed 9/11 was an inside job. Like illuminati, freemasons. The full monty.
But he was genuinely lovely, though profoundly misguided
There appears to be at least a kernel of truth in the US government using Ukraine to launder money and influence. The recent collapse of the FTX exchange is bringing the links connecting all these players to light. We have known for several years that Victoria Newland and her crew in the US State Department were up to their elbows in the 2014 coup and in 'influencing' the place since. Please note that I'm not taking sides in who governs Ukraine, I'm excoriating my own government for their involvement. I do believe Father Calvin is essentially correct in what he said.
I will, however, admit to not being nearly as lovely a human as he is. ;)
If you think what he said is essentially correct then you and I differ on this point. And that's fine.
On the spectrum between "USA bears zero responsibility for anything bad" and "USA bears sole responsibility for everything bad" his comments on twitter have veered radically towards the latter.
It's the denial of agency to anyone who isn't the USA that really gets me.
You are spot-on with that take. I don't believe there are any innocents in any of these government's or NGO's. Everyone of the powerful individuals involved are concerned with their own interests. Sadly, the citizens of Ukraine and some of the soldiers on both sides are bearing the cost.
I think you and others misunderstand (if I may say so) when it is alluded that the CIA has its fingerprints all over the Russia-Ukraine war. Nobody is accusing Rusia of colluding with the CIA or vice versa. What they are saying is that the CIA sets into motion sequence of events that other parties/nations, knowingly or unknowingly participate in and which ultimately leads to the desired outcome by the CIA / Millitary Industrial Complex.
Russia had its own reasons for invading and continuing with the war. But it not totally unthinkable that CIA worked behind the scene to bring it to that point for whatever nefarious purposes they had in mind. They do it all the time. E.g. there is an explosion in Nord Stream gas pipeline. The Western media blames Russia as the most likely culprit. People in the know think otherwise and have reasons to believe US might be behind this. A few weeks later, countries like UK are placing bulk orders with the US for energy as the price increases and profits soar. So think again, who really benefited from the explosion - Russia or the US? So who has a more compelling motive to engage in such activities?
Eva, you are undoubtedly correct on all points, IMHO.
I heard you on a podcast recently talking about the importance of personal development.
How would you advise someone looking to personally develop? What worked for you and what resources do you think helped you the most?
Thanks KK, all the best.
I don't think there's a universal thing that works for everyone. I have studied NLP, Hypnotherapy, meditation, done various courses such as Landmark Forum and worked with personal development coaches. Start somewhere and keep trying things until you find what works.
Thanks for the response KK, much appreciated.
Have you ever tortured a tomato in such a way as to make a civil servant blanche?
Boooooo!
I always enjoy hearing about your family. Have you any tales of your grandma, she sounds lovely and of anyone else in your family who have anecdotes which you like to think about or have helped you become what you are today? Thank you.
It's nearly 16 years since my grandfather died. He was a wonderfully kind and, above all, wise man.
My favourite story about him: when I was about 11 me and a bunch of cousins aged 10-16 spent the summer at my grandparents' farm in Ukraine.
There was no room for us in the house so we all slept in the hay barn, far from any adult supervision. One night, one of the older cousins somehow procured a small bottle of vodka (none of us having tried it before). I don't remember us drinking it, which is strong evidence that we did.
The next day, the youngest cousin told grandma everything. She, very concerned, told my grandfather.
He was devastated. He said "Katya, we must be terrible grandparents... they didn't even invite us to drink with them!"
That's absolutely brilliant. What lovely grandparents you have/ had. Same thing! They sound fantastic. Thank you for that, KK. So appreciated. More please?!?! X
Wonderful! It's too late to ask in this session, but I'd love to know when in your life you wanted wisdom, knowledge, etc. than most people around you, and weren't afraid to go after it. Did you grow up feeling different from those around you? I did.
KK - Have you interviewed your Grandma? Hearing her story, even through an interpreter, would be fascinating.
It's very likely that, even if we're right (and we are) about most things, there will be some things we've got wrong. What do you think that might be? Might everyone come around to the idea that trans women are real women? Or something else? Free speech?
Very hard to answer without knowing who "we" are in this question. The one thing I think a lot of people on "my" side of the argument oversimplify is free speech online. It's more complicated than "just let people say what they want" - that's why it's such a battleground issue.
Have you heard of George Gammon The Rebel Capitalist? Well worth looking him up - he did a documentary about how to work at McDonalds; be an Uber Driver & flip small pick up trucks can help you improve your lot. He pays his rent, food etc from the money he earns & in 2021 explains the dangers of digital currency
I have not. Could you email him as a potential guest to triggernometrypod@gmail.com?
He’d be a great guest on your show.
I heard your interview with Rogan and it really resonated.
I can’t think of anything upbeat right now. The UK is run by high tax WEF stooges, and the US is a banana republic. Soon we’lll fold to flight and mileage rationing, be forced to carry digital identification, be taxed to the hilt for the poor to survive on UBI, and the young will never own their own home.
Ok, if I have one question .. will Arsenal win the PL?
I don't really follow football much anymore but even I know Arsenal are shit! :D
Do you miss stand-up at all? Will you ever do it again?
Once in a billion years I think of a routine and imagine saying it on stage and getting laughs. Then I imagine driving for 2 hours to a gig and 2 hours back and decide it's not worth it.
I currently have no desire to do stand-up but I am also not ruling it out.
Have you read Varlam Shalamov?
Actually I should have done but I haven't, thank you for the reminder.
Given that the Ukranian mindset and values are almost identical to the Russians how fo you believe liberal westerners shall react to this?
Same way they treat black conservatives, I would imagine :)
🫣😂! Brits have no idea about the dynamics of this conflict and spew out naive platitudes about it. Once the US grows bored and sick of this dispute they will drop Ukraine like a hot potato. Ukrainians are blind to this!
Have you noticed any changes that affect your experience on Twitter since Elon Musk took over?
Not really. I have found I get more spam DMs. I like being able to edit tweets but that's about it.
Beyond the war in Ukraine, Ukraine and Russia are two countries in each others nearest proximity with Russians having Ukrainian friends and relatives and vice versa. What do you think will a reconciliation look like?
There will not be a reconciliation in my life time, and I can say that without evening knowing how this war is going to end. :(
Are you going to be more conservative now you've become a father?
We'll find out soon enough :)
Hi Konstantin,
Would you be interested in doing something on the memoir of an Islamic State returnee?
It's called "In the Shadow of Daesh" and is the first and only account in English.
The author wrote it to try and understand why she went - and to deter others from taking the same path.
Yes, if you email triggernometrypod@gmail.com with the suggestion we'll check it out.
Thank you!
What is a comfortable salary to live on in the UK in 2022?
It really depends on your circumstances and how many people you're providing for. Average salary in the UK is around £38,000 I believe which you can definitely live comfortably on as a single person. A family of 4, not so much.
The average 2 income family of 4 in the USA lives on 59-63k. Both parents often have to work, but I'd argue a lot has to do with lifestyle and poor money management.
Would you ever consider interviewing Dave Ramsey the financial personality here in the USA?
Would you be a guest on my podcast. Focused on Free Speech and absurdities/touchy subjects.
I'd like to but I am super busy all the time. If you email me, I'll do my very best to find a time if I can but no promises!
Sent this to your DM, don’t have an email for you for the podcast invite but - “what’s your stance on Ukraine Civil war in the east? What about Obvious US involvement in the 2013/14 coup and continued interest in ousting Putin. They’ve forever been involved in regime change wars and I see this as no different! I’ve watched a lot of Putin speeches and films including Oliver stones Putin interviews. He appears more reasonable and logical than the western leaders