United front

Dear editors!

And, of course, dear colleagues! Summer has come, it’s time to think about rest, dacha work in the fresh air and other healthy matters, but the worries of social life do not subside. The issue of conscripting graduate students into the army was decided negatively - they will not be drafted, as our dear leaders - President Medvedev and Minister of Defense Serdyukov said.

The learned people rejoice at this decision, but I think it’s due to some lack of thought. Judge for yourself: what does a graduate student have? Nothing practically: an insignificant stipend and a meager bonus. Zero without a stick in general: no one needs it except parents and the supervisor. A lieutenant is a completely different matter: from the beginning of next year, a lieutenant will receive 50 thousand rubles a month. So I’m thinking that a graduate student could not wipe his pants over a test tube at a university or research institute, but serve for a year, or even two, in order to earn extra money for five years in advance - not only for the duration of his graduate studies, but also for a couple of years work in your home institution after defense.

Again, money alone does not bring happiness: instead of loafing and slackness, graduate students would be taught discipline and respect for their seniors. And then, it happens, another zealous youngster begins to contradict deserved people, asking different questions at seminars. Sometimes even academics. Although I would wonder: who is he? He should be silent and listen to what smart people say, and just screw him up.

In general, we would end up with a responsible and disciplined employee, again, with money. So this is a rare case when I disagree with our beloved leadership: they are condoning rotten liberalism here.

In addition, this used to be the army, the front were concepts of combat and responsibility. Not so now. The word “front” has already become quite peaceful and commonplace. Civilian, so to speak. Recently, our Party and Vladimir Vladimirovich personally established the “All-Russian Popular Front”. Not for war with someone, of course not. To visibly show that United Russia is a party with the people and for the people. In unbreakable Unity.

No, there are no words, all the best and selfless forces are already concentrated in the Party, but real leaders are not just people who can lead or send somewhere, but people who raise those around them to their level, give them grow above yourself and acquire previously unprecedented competencies. Therefore, all concerned citizens can now participate in the Duma elections through their public organizations. Together with United Russia.

The decision is extremely wise and correct. I don’t think it’s necessary to discuss this because it’s obvious, I just want to urge you, colleagues, to actively participate in the work of the “Popular Front”. All scientific and educational organizations, the Union of Rectors, the Russian Academy of Sciences and others must join the ranks of the “People's Front” and devote their strength and intellectual potential to the service of the people.

This is already urgently necessary, but it becomes absolutely necessary in light of the events taking place around us. As the Khabarovsk branch of United Russia reported last week, the All-Russian Popular Front has already been supported by nine of the largest organizations in the region. The ranks of these organizations include about 500 thousand residents, i.e. the entire population of Khabarovsk, or a third of the population of the Khabarovsk Territory.

Do you understand? This is not bullshit: entire cities and regions of people are joining the Front. The whole world, so to speak, all the people, the whole Earth. And what happens if everyone comes in, but scientists and teachers don’t? It will look bad, very bad! We shouldn't be late, colleagues.

And more about the good. The future of our development - the Skolkovo innovation city - is gradually taking on visible shape: recently the Skolkovo Foundation and the Aurora Group company signed an agreement on the construction of a building for the urban development center of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, colloquially referred to as the "Hypercube", which will become the first transformable office complex in Russia. Construction will be carried out at a modernization pace: it will begin this summer, and the commissioning of the facility is scheduled for February 2012. The total cost of the project has not yet been determined, which is correct and we, scientists, understand: when searching for something new, large-scale promotion of innovative solutions, you cannot squeeze yourself into Procrustean bed. We must allow our future potential to unfold in all its power. Including financially.

Yours Ivan Ekonomov