Lenin Was a Mushroom

Eh, the ex-Soviet public is extraordinarily willing to buy into outlandish claims. At the turn of the 90s, millions tuned in to televised hypnosis sessions with Anatoly Kashpirovsky. Many others sought services to get "programmed" to stop drinking alcohol. The faith in life-extending properties of ginseng and especially miraculous cave tar shilajit is overwhelming.

This is the same thing you see with people called "undecided voters" in the US. By turning away from the mainstream and claiming that "both sides are wrong," they show great willingness to buy into exotic and elaborate conspiracies that give them an illusion of control over their lives. Belief in magic takes many forms.

hah so funny to see this here! I first came across this in the following review of Shortparis' album Easter (ПАСХА). One of 2019's music highlights for me.

https://thequietus.com/articles/24274-shortparis-easter-albu...