Russians have fallen out of love with Georgians. Every second person surveyed by VTsIOM has changed their attitude towards Georgians for the worse. And 87% are convinced that Russia did the right thing by standing up for Ossetia (data from the Levada Center).

Politics aside – there were, of course, no active politicians among those polled. The sociologists’ questions were answered by what is called “the common people.” And it was in their minds that another image of an enemy was formed, whose name this time was “the Georgian.” And it is they, the common people, who rejoice, observing what a powerful Kuz’kina mother we showed to Genatsvale.

Actually, the normal reaction of an ordinary person to war (at least until a bomb flies into his own home): what difference does it make to me who is right and who is wrong, any war is a bloody horror.

But this is precisely the kind of reaction we do not have. There are practically no speeches in this spirit, perhaps only isolated, rare voices, but certainly not a choir. Because when a person reacts to war like this – yes, in a completely philistine and politically illiterate way – it means that he identifies himself with the person whose house is burning today, whose children are missing, and whose parents are killed. He identifies and is horrified. It is obvious that 87% of Russians who vote for the policy of their state identify themselves not with civilians losing their homes, but with soldiers breaking into houses with machine guns at the ready.

There is nothing human in such a reaction. Consequently, the people, who nevertheless react in this way, have reached the ultimate frenzy. This means that the majority of the Russian population is driven into a corner, driven to despair. For various reasons, which now is not the time to discuss in detail: beggarly wages, a lawless state, the doom of any initiative - the list is endless - and drunkenness as the only adequate response to all this non-life.

And now the main thing. When a person exists at the limit, he has exactly two options. The first is to blame someone else for his troubles. To take out his despair and aggression on the one who is nearby. Isn't that why domestic crime is so developed (and, according to the latest data, is only growing) in Russia - the easiest way is to kill a cohabitant, a neighbor, a wife, because someone is to blame for what is happening to me?

The second option is called metanoia, which means “change of mind.” (I am deliberately avoiding the word “repentance,” which is, alas, devalued.) To change one’s mind is to admit that since my life is ugly, I will not live like that. I will not drink, I will stop being envious, I will do what I must, without hoping for a quick result. For what reason? At least because I am a human being. And once you see the human being in yourself, it will be revealed in others. And then the rudeness that has infected our lives like a virus, from top to bottom, the rudeness that is the direct result of deafness to others, will retreat. Then the death of a man shot in the head in broad daylight will call for an answer with the voices of millions. Then military victories over tiny states will cease to evoke such stormy approval.

Eternal Values: The Virus of Rudeness