[Lazamataz]

This is actually an interesting article, thank you. I am a student of Russia, having family that emigrated from there.

While this quote is in your text: "Family meal at a colletive farm in Ukraine. I doubt it was better in 1947." I would point out that in terms of spirit, it was better in 1947.

The poverty of spirit totally outweighs the poverty of finance. Look at America. We have plenty, but our poverty of spirit nearly crushes us.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thanks for this comment. I think you're right, Laz. It's a famine of the spirit.

"When there is no vision, the people perish."

[zot]

Ping to an important article. This study is a good start, but loss of the will to live by so many people in this one country/culture should be studied more specifically and more thoroughly.