In Moscow's Shadows 126: Truth and Tedium in Putin's Marathon Town Hall and the Russian Press
Dec 17, 2023
auto_awesome
A recent town hall meeting hosted by Putin was described as a four-hour, four-minute procession of banalities and boredom. The importance of instilling hope and portraying success to the Russian population was emphasized. The tenuous connection between an article connecting Ukrainian armed forces to the Third Reich was discussed. The concept of a coordinated western conspiracy and the renewed focus on the Nazi angle in Russian propaganda were explored. The factors contributing to the dramatic increase in the price of eggs in Russia were explored. The destabilization of the criminal balance of power in Putin's Russia was discussed.
45:59
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Putin's annual press conferences have become increasingly tedious and boring, highlighting his lack of energy and willingness to engage in meaningful discussions.
Putin aims to portray the upcoming election as a mundane administrative chore, employing boredom as a political strategy to discourage alternative viewpoints or candidates.
Deep dives
Putin's marathon press conference
The podcast episode discusses Putin's annual marathon press conference which lasted for four hours and four minutes. The episode highlights how these press conferences have become increasingly onerous for Putin, with his lack of energy and willingness to engage becoming more evident. This year, he combined the two usual events, the marathon press conference and the marathon online town hall, into one event called 'Results of the Year'. The episode describes the event as a clumsy amalgamation of journalists desperately trying to capture Putin's attention and curated questions from the millions that were sent in. The highlights of the event were deemed predictable or embarrassing, with even Putin's attempts at humor falling flat.
Strategy of strategic torpor in the election campaign
The podcast episode examines the likely strategy behind Putin's upcoming election campaign. The episode suggests that Putin aims to portray the election as a humdrum administrative chore rather than a dramatic crossroads moment for the nation. The episode argues that Putin wants to lower expectations, lower the temperature, and avoid any serious discussion or meaningful debate. It highlights the use of patriotic sentiments and support for the troops as a way to mobilize the population and discourage alternative viewpoints or candidates. The podcast mentions examples of Chamorov's solicitousness about Putin's health and the opposition leader's lack of criticism towards Putin's policies. Overall, the episode presents boredom as a political strategy employed by Putin.
The influence of Western perspectives
The podcast episode explores the Russian press' use of Western perspectives to validate Russian narratives and promote propaganda. It highlights examples of stories that exaggerate the West's desire to destroy Russia and exploit its resources, such as the belief that the West wants to divide Russia into separate parts with limited independence. The episode points out the impact of rhetoric and fear in perpetuating misunderstandings and the cycle of escalating tensions between Russia and the West. Furthermore, it discusses how the Russian press seizes on Western actions, even minor ones, to bolster propaganda narratives. The episode emphasizes the importance of considering the unintended consequences and impact of rhetoric on both sides.
Challenges in the Russian economy
The podcast episode touches on the challenges facing the Russian economy by analyzing the recent rise in egg prices as a metaphor. It details factors contributing to the rise, including bird flu outbreaks, production costs, and overall inflation rates. The episode connects this to the broader economic challenges, such as labor scarcity, lack of investment, and dependence on outdated equipment. It suggests that these smaller, cumulative factors are destabilizing the current criminal balance of power, affecting both upper and underworlds. The episode highlights the state's attempts to warn organized crime groups by targeting historical crimes as a reminder of its reach and long memory. Overall, it indicates growing unease within the Russian state about the potential loss of control.
I felt I ought to cover Putin's combined press conference and online town hall, but it was just so, so boring. And maybe that's the point: tedium weaponised as the new electoral strategy. But what else can we read into the Kremlin's public messaging? To explore that, after some brief thoughts on that 4 hour 4 minute banquet of banality, I delve into the world of Russian tabloids this weekend...
Details of the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime event on Monday that I mention (and a link to download the full report) are here.
The podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.
You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials right here.