June 30, 2021

The Rainbow Menace


The Rainbow Menace

“The demand for primitive toys suggests that not all of society, but a certain stratum, are inclined to simple decisions. Our society is approaching a situation where we will collapse into the abyss of simple solutions to complex issues.”

– Alexander Asmolov, Russian psychologist, politician, and head of the Department of Personality Psychology at Moscow State University

On June 28, the head of the Department of Personality Psychology at Moscow State University Alexander Asmolov – who is also a psychologist and politician – warned the Russian public of the malicious nature of the rather popular toy known as a “Simple-Dimples,” “Squishies,” or “Pop-its.”

The toy, which is regularly used in therapy for individuals with neurological disorders, has caught the attention of many a Russian child. Others fear that the often rainbow-colored items are gay propaganda.

 

 

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Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

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A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

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