From Russia With Love (No 32): Spring to Summer 2019

[text_skate]

furosemide (lasix) has to have a doctor's prescription (or at least it does in the US). If a skater has a valid script, is it still a violation? It can be used to treat high blood pressure among other conditions. Stupid people sometimes use it to lose weight, but all you lose is fluids. I can't imagine it would be that helpful for an ice dancer.

If a doctor subscribes sth, and it's on the prohibited list, you need a TUE
https://www.wada-ama.org/en/what-we-do/science-medical/therapeutic-use-exemptions

 

[Tinami Amori]

furosemide (lasix) has to have a doctor's prescription (or at least it does in the US). If a skater has a valid script, is it still a violation? It can be used to treat high blood pressure among other conditions. Stupid people sometimes use it to lose weight, but all you lose is fluids. I can't imagine it would be that helpful for an ice dancer.

She had an eye bruise or something, which made her eyebrow swell up, so the pharmacist gave her this remedy to reduce the swelling. She did not check the substances and/or the rules, and her suspension is 1 year and not 2, because she had no intent to cheat, just neglected to follow rules. (and i never heard of this dancer before .. )

 

[hanca]

furosemide (lasix) has to have a doctor's prescription (or at least it does in the US). If a skater has a valid script, is it still a violation? It can be used to treat high blood pressure among other conditions. Stupid people sometimes use it to lose weight, but all you lose is fluids. I can't imagine it would be that helpful for an ice dancer.

It is diuretic. It doesn’t enhance performance itself, but it could be used to cover taking something that enhances performance and that’s why it is forbidden.

 

[rfisher]

She had an eye bruise or something, which made her eyebrow swell up, so the pharmacist gave her this remedy to reduce the swelling. She did not check the substances and/or the rules, and her suspension is 1 year and not 2, because she had no intent to cheat, just neglected to follow rules. (and i never heard of this dancer before .. )

That is not a good use of Lasix! It is a strong diuretic. I can't imagine using it for a bruise on the face. Ice would have been far more effective. Pharmacists can't dispense this in the US with out a physician's order.

 

[Tinami Amori]

That is not a good use of Lasix! It is a strong diuretic. I can't imagine using it for a bruise on the face. Ice would have been far more effective. Pharmacists can't dispense this in the US with out a physician's order.

I'll post some russian links and translation, so maybe you can determine her exact condition. To me it is "bruised area near the eyes".

https://www.eurosport.ru/figure-skating/story_sto7220700.shtml
отек глаза - swelling of the eye

"Skater explains... "
https://nevasport.ru/62568-figuristka-shakun-obyasnila-kak-doping-popal-k-nej-v-organizm/
Шакун призналась, что употребляла фуросемид во время соревнований по рекомендации в аптеке из-за отека глаза. Фигуристка отметила, она забыла, что вещество находится в списке запрещенных.

Shakun addmitted, that she was using furosemide during the competition on recommendation from the pharmacy to treat the eye swelling. She also noted that she forgot this is on the list of the prohibited substances.

---
"отек глаза" in russian, depending on how it is used, or in what situation, or after what "incident" can mean several things. it can also be used "conversationally" for any issues in the eye or around the eye..

- a bruise if you got in a fight
- https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...fxXeogoZJCsDQRVirs4hSR1TZntG8r3Sm096202eiKaBc
- https://elhow.ru/images/articles/5/54/5438/inner.jpg

- swelling of your eyelids
- https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...s9LUr4TtNMGhEodhCou3QM32MvQoOfKVHxZllQhbyetnU
- https://clione.ru/assets/pic148f7bc.jpg

- bags under your eyes
- https://images.medicinenet.com/images/appictures/hematoma-s1-facts-b.jpg
- https://vrachiha.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Otek-nizhnego-veka-odnogo-glaza.jpg

- or "issues" inside the eye
- https://www.thyroidmanager.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/figure6.jpg
- https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...MSVbgfYQydkCwFLH8suMCymRT-1looX4UWsP4TgBkyjbg

 

[rfisher]

Interesting. Different cultures use similar drugs in different ways. Thanks for the links.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Interesting. Different cultures use similar drugs in different ways. Thanks for the links.

"eye swelling" is very general to me, as listed it can mean several conditions which can be described in more precise medical terms by a doctor, because while they are all called "conversationally" an eye swelling, their causes and cures maybe different. what i was trying to say in the previous post, that maybe one of the conditions in the fotos do require furosemide and others don't..

 

[Bigbird]

Brave. My brother used lasix some time ago to treat severe water retention issues brought on partly by gout. Why such a potent drug?

Who is this young lady anyway? Why single her out specifically within a culture that encourages radical weight loss for girls and women? Is she the only guilty party?

 

[Tinami Amori]

Maxim Kovtun skated couple days ago in Averbuch's "15 years of success" show. Does not look injured.
https://vk.com/videos-64888695?z=video-64888695_456250542/pl_-64888695_-2
https://vk.com/videos-64888695?z=video-64888695_456250540/pl_-64888695_-2
https://vk.com/videos-64888695?z=video-64888695_456250539/pl_-64888695_-2
https://vk.com/videos-64888695?z=video-64888695_456250543/pl_-64888695_-2

 

[zebraswan]

So are they ever going to bother explaining why he withdrew from Worlds or do they think people will just forget about it? Did he do something "naughty" to get removed? He posted those weird messages on Instagram, and then deleted, of course. Then the "insider" on FSO claimed he was done with FS (again, no explanation, I knew it was too good to be true...).

 

[Tinami Amori]

So are they ever going to bother explaining why he withdrew from Worlds or do they think people will just forget about it? Did he do something "naughty" to get removed? He posted those weird messages on Instagram, and then deleted, of course. Then the "insider" on FSO claimed he was done with FS (again, no explanation, I knew it was too good to be true...).

I remember after Europeans, when he finished 14th, during TV commentary, TAT was very angry and said "if he does not get his stuff together and shows that he is serious, we have others to send to the Worlds".
https://rsport.ria.ru/20190126/1549957665.html

"Позор какой-то, - сказала Тарасова в эфире Первого канала. - Это называется "аут". Просто стыдно. У нас есть, кем менять. Сам себя поменял! Он должен бороться".

“Shameful, really!” said Tarasova on Channel #1 broadcast. It is called a wipe out. Simply embarrassing. We have others to replace him. He just "replaced himself" on his own! He must fight."

 

[Eislauffan]

So are they ever going to bother explaining why he withdrew from Worlds or do they think people will just forget about it? Did he do something "naughty" to get removed? He posted those weird messages on Instagram, and then deleted, of course. Then the "insider" on FSO claimed he was done with FS (again, no explanation, I knew it was too good to be true...).

Russian team officials told me that Maxim Kovtun had back problems. I don't think the Federation would have replaced him (no matter what Tarasova was saying on TV) just like that, after all he is the reigning National Champion and he finished 2nd at Universiade (while Alexander Samarin was only 5th there - and nobody was saying that he should be replaced).
I suspected that Maxim himself didn't want to go to Worlds, because maybe he felt he wouldn't be competitive or he was afraid of another meltdown - but this is pure speculation on my side. It will be interesting to see if he decides to continue and if so what he will do next season. He for sure will not officially retire now, he's on the National team again and gets funding. We'll see how he prepares for next season and how committed he is. If he is committed and works hard, he can be really good, but unfortunately he tends to slack off once he has some success, IMHO.

 

[Tinami Amori]

.... Maxim Kovtun had back problems.

Oy.... sounds like Pitkeev's problem..... and yet Kovtun never skated with Tutberdize.... how could he have a back problem if he is with Buianova? i just don't know...

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Oy.... sounds like Pitkeev's problem..... and yet Kovtun never skated with Tutberdize.... how could he have a back problem if he is with Buianova? i just don't know...

Do you bring up Eteri to just invite criticism towards her?

The answer to your question is pretty obvious. Pitkeev developed the injury at 17 y.o. It was so nasty, he had to retire. Rumors were he'd been dealing with it since 16 y.o., if not earlier. You don't think it's a little early for a career-ending back problem? Kovtun is almost 24. Some wear and tear is expected by this age. Most male skaters start getting nagging injuries in their early to mid 20s.

 

[zebraswan]

Oy.... sounds like Pitkeev's problem..... and yet Kovtun never skated with Tutberdize.... how could he have a back problem if he is with Buianova? i just don't know...

Anyone can become injured with any coach. Anyone with a brain knows that. But some coaches handle injury better than others and know when it's time for a skater to back off on the training and get treatment vs. encouraging them to keep going to competitions in pain, exacerbating an already serious issue. I'll never understand how someone so "seasoned" in life can be so simplistic in your thinking. Most adults understand that everyone has issues and things they can work on, no matter how great and accomplished they are, even your lord and savior Eteri Tutberidze. She's not a saint and she's not "evil." Only you seem to think that one can only be one or the other.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

I'll never understand how someone so "seasoned" in life can be so simplistic in your thinking. Most adults understand that everyone has issues and things they can work on, no matter how great and accomplished they are, even your lord and savior Eteri Tutberidze. She's not a saint and she's not "evil." Only you seem to think that one can only be one or the other.

I work with two young Russian women. They are very balanced (and sort of zen) in their thinking. They always express their frustrations with their parents' approach to life: people are good or evil; mistakes are not to be forgiven; you are either a friend or an enemy; never let things go, etc. Thinking in absolutes is very simplistic. Maybe it has something to do with living, as an adult, in a black & white Soviet culture. Convictions are strong, and once formed, are not subject to re-evaluation. I think this may be something that's hard to change.

In our context, Tinami's devotion to Eteri is absolute. As is her hate for Medvedeva. No shades of grey are allowed.

 

[hanca]

I work with two young Russian women. They are very balanced (and sort of zen) in their thinking. They always express their frustrations with their parents' approach to life: people are good or evil; mistakes are not to be forgiven; you are either a friend or an enemy; never let things go, etc. One thing they talk about is the lack of ability to let go. Maybe it has something to do with living, as an adult, in a very black & white Soviet culture. Convictions are strong, and once formed are not subject to re-evaluation. I think this may be something that's hard to change.

I wonder if this is true about any older people, regardless of their nationality. It seems to me that the older the person is, the more set in their opinions they are and would not stop even for second to re-evaluate. Also the thinking in extremes (things and people are either good or bad, never anything in between).

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

I wonder if this is true about any older people, regardless of their nationality. It seems to me that the older the person is, the more set in their opinions they are and would not stop even for second to re-evaluate. Also the thinking in extremes (things and people are either good or bad, never anything in between).

I think age is definitely a factor. But I know a lot of older people that are very flexible in their thinking. And a lot that are not. The ones that have more open minds work on it. Adaptability and capacity to have a broader perspective is a trait that's not unique to any culture. But some cultures do have a more rigid way of thinking, historically speaking.

 

[rfisher]

Do you bring up Eteri to just invite criticism towards her?

The answer to your question is pretty obvious. Pitkeev developed the injury at 17 y.o. It was so nasty, he had to retire. Rumors were he'd been dealing with it since 16 y.o., if not earlier. You don't think it's a little early for a career-ending back problem? Kovtun is almost 24. Some wear and tear is expected by this age. Most male skaters start getting nagging injuries in their early to mid 20s.

Kovtun has been plagued with back problems for years--since he was a teen. That and his work ethic have always been the reason his career has been such a rollercoaster.

 

[mjb52]

I feel badly for Kovtun. Sinitsina & Katsalapov had a sort of disaster at Europeans after a strong nationals but appear to have had the support (or will) to come back at Worlds. Something seems to have been lacking for him, whether internally or externally or both, to allow him to try to do the same. Maybe that's overly generous and not an apropos comparison, but it does seem like the reaction to his performance at Europeans was a bit harsh.

 

[Ka3sha]

Two new interviews with Russian skaters:

Sinitsina/Katsalapov for fsrussia.ru
Translation:

Five years ago in Saitama news appeared that you were planning skate together, and now, again in Saitama, you won the silver medal of the World Championships for the first time in your career. How was this path?
Victoria: It seems to me that these 5 years passed very quickly, because they were so intense, so many ups and downs … I can say that Nikita and I have grown up over these 5 years, matured morally, gained wisdom and experience. This path was difficult, but pleasant.
Nikita: Just today I realized that in Saitama the circle was completed for us. This is great, and now our story seems to be starting anew. This World Championships have become a new starting point. Vika and I are very proud that, in spite of everything, we have overcome all difficulties. We had to go through a lot in these 5 years. But I don’t agree that these years passed quickly. To some extent yes. But on the other hand, these 5 years have been long, different, and so much has happened to us as it hasn’t happened to me in my entire life. Therefore, we are glad that we found our own door, opened it, saw the corridor and I hope, or rather, we know that we are on the right way and we know where it leads. We are happy with this season, although there is still a World Team Trophy ahead. In general, despite the mistake at the European Championships in Minsk, we coped.

It was your only failure in the season.
Nikita: Of course, we wanted to place higher at the European Championships. And we could. We were very well prepared and really wanted that. But we have already talked about this topic with you – a ridiculous mistake, like I was “shot down”. There is no excuse for this. What happened, happened. The main thing is that at the World Championships we had such a good closure.

How did you prepare for the World Championships after competitions in Minsk?
Nikita: At the World Championships, we had different thoughts before the short program. Then, in Minsk, I was determined to win, win, go ahead, fight! And in Saitama, I thought that I had already skated this short and free program so many times, and here it is – this moment, perhaps, the final (I don’t like the word “last”) performance of this season. This wasn’t like at Europeans, where I had thoughts that I have time, I will improve … No, at Worlds I thought that I had prepared everything and went to the ice with confidence. And the ice in Saitama is stunning, which holds any edge. We flew to Japan a little later, we didn’t have a chance to try the ice at the main arena, but the guys, the Americans, Canadians, everyone said that the ice at the main rink was made with soul. And at the warm-up before the short dance, we realized that this ice allows you to do everything. It reassured us even more. We understood that we would do as we agreed, we will show everything that we have prepared. And nothing more was needed. We were doing and showing what we have prepared. That’s all! I don’t know, maybe you are right, in Minsk, I rushed off somewhere. And at the World Championships we managed to show everything.

What thoughts did you have after the free program?
Victoria: I was glad that we finished this competitions, that we had passed it without mistakes and performances were good. I exhaled on the last pose and was very happy. At that moment I didn’t know the scores, I was just happy that we did it, that there was satisfaction from the work we had done before the Worlds, that we did it all. And when we were sitting in the “kiss and cry” and saw the scores, of course, emotions come over.
Nikita: We really hoped that we would be in the top three.
Victoria: There were very small gaps between five or even more pairs. Any mistake could have changed the results, so we didn’t have a right to make a mistake, and we were glad that we didn’t.

Now in ice dance, top-level pairs are close to each other; at the World Championships in Saitama, almost all the leading duets received level four for the elements in the free dance. How to deal with such a pressure?
Nikita: You don’t need to think about it, because if you think about it all the time, you can overthink and knock yourself down. It is necessary to be distracted, because the very thought “not to make a mistake, not to make a mistake” can mess you up. After the rhythm dance, we set ourselves that there would be a new day, a new program and we were concentrated only on it. Yes, maybe someone thinks about the scores, counts points, someone likes to watch the opponents’ performance, this motivates them. But not us. Vika and I, before the free dance, distracted from everything – looked at the floor, at each other, at the coaches, again at the floor. Came on the ice and there were only us, only music and the audience.
Victoria: Even when Sasha and Vanya were skating right before us, I didn’t hear their music or their scores when they were announced. I was so deep in myself that I didn’t notice anything that was happening around … For me, the most important thing is to begin a competitions. This is really the most difficult. Go to the ice, take the first step. After the short program, everything is much easier.

This season you have very successful programs, especially the free dance. We can say that you hit with the program, because you skate it with your soul?
Nikita: We also hit with Rachmaninoff, but we did not finish it. This season both programs were successful. But I do not like the word “hit”. It was Sasha’s (coach Alexander Zhulin – ed.) idea. A very clear one why we should take this music, not just let’s try it.
Victoria: He was sure about the the music and the program.
Nikita: Everything was thought out in advance, so that I would not rush, but feel calm, confident, so that we would show every gesture, every arm, every transition and at the same time element would flow into the next element.

And how was it? Zhulin came with music, idea and a clear plan?
Nikita: And we started to work. This is generally my favorite time, the most favorite moments when we start creating. I love to participate in it. Just adore it. And I was lucky with my partner, because after 5 years Vika and I learned to understand each other without words. I used to take her hand, and she kept asking: “What are we doing, where are we going?” And now I take her hand and I’m surprised: how does she know what we are going to do? And she does what I really intended.

Next season will you change your style or do you think you have found your own?
Nikita: Alexander Zhulin has offered us already three different versions of music. It was before the World Championships. So there are already three ideas. The World Championship has passed, Vika and I will be able to listen to these options more attentively, on the plane on our way back. Vika has already started to listen. Honestly, I didn’t distract myself at the World Championships with this thoughts. I try not to run ahead. I can’t do that. I have to move gradually, step by step.

Stanislava Konstantinova for tass.ru
Translation:

Stasya, the season has ended a little earlier for you than for the rest. What do you feel waiting for the next one?
– The season turned out quite strange for me. I used to get very tired before the last competitions, but this time I was haunted by such a strange feeling, as if I hadn’t done something.

Have you got any new knowledge in terms of attitude to work this season?
– No, most likely, I have not discovered anything new in this regard. Just, once again made sure how hard you need to work, how clearly you needed to focus on things that are important at the moment, here and now. And that you should not be distracted on other problems that distract you from the most important thing.

When will you heal ankle injury? Almost all this season we saw you with tapes on your left foot.
– I have not thought about the treatment yet, I will skate for a month, jump, will give myself loads to be in good shape.

But what about pain?
– The peak of injury was in January – at the European Championship. We then did a medical survey, but I could not stop trainings.

But this is a big risk!
– All this is not so critical – it is tolerable, it is recoverable. Yes, the situation is not the easiest, but in general it is possible to live and work with it. Soon I will heal all this and by the end of May I will continue to work.

At what stage are new programs?
– We are working on them. I want to properly improve in skills during the offseason, and for this I need to work hard. I have no right to stand still, and certainly not going to give up my positions.
We have already done a short program – to the music of the Petersburg composer Leonid Levashkevich “February”. We also decided about the free program, the music is from the movie “Moulin Rouge”. But for now everything else is a small secret.

Do you plan to complicate programs?
– Most likely, the free one. I think that I will move some difficult elements to the second half.

What about triple axel? There is a video, where you are doing it on harness.
– I really train it a lot on the harness. Everything works well, but you need to work a lot without it.

Does it turn out without a harness?
– While I’m falling, I don’t feel the entrance to the end. Triple Axel is a difficult jump, treacherous. You can’t overcome it just by force. It’s not enough just to push harder. Technique. But it’s ok, everything should work out, but I don’t want to talk about this jump in vain, a day will be and food will be.

Did problems of height and weight bring you inconvenience this season?
– The fight with weight, or rather the work on keeping it lasted the entire season. It was hard for me – I had to do enormous efforts every day. I hope to normalize it in the offseason, so that in the next season I wouldn’t spend so much emotional and physical strength.

Looking at you, it’s hard to imagine that you can have such problems.
– I have a predisposition to weight gain, but for me this is not a big problem now – I have been prepared for this since childhood. My whole family eats healthy.
When you have heavy loads, you can’t limit yourself very much in the diet. Therefore, I spent every evening on the treadmill at least an hour. So now I really want not just to keep fit for the next season. I want to change somehow in order not to spend so much energy on fighting with weight.

A year ago, in the offseason, the athletes of your group went to a two-week training camp in the United States to Rafael Arutyunyan. Do you plan to repeat this experience?
– I really liked it then, I really learned a lot of important and useful things for myself working with him. Personally, I would be very interested to go there again, it was a great experience.

At the end of this season, do you still love figure skating?
– You know, once I considered myself just a “skater”, and now I understand a very important thing – I adore figure skating. I did not stop loving it. Yes, in figure skating there are things that are really hard to love. But there are much more such things that worthy of loyalty to this sport.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Kovtun has been plagued with back problems for years--since he was a teen. That and his work ethic have always been the reason his career has been such a rollercoaster.

A lot of skaters have nagging back issues, comes with the territory. Gets worse with age, too. Those quads aren't kind on the body. Unfortunately, Pitkeev's back problems were much more serious. By 2016 he had chronic pain and couldn't function off the ice. Buyanova did everything she could to help him out, but it was too late. She really went above and beyond. It was a truly crippling injury. Pitkeev is very lucky that he did not push himself any further.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Anyone can become injured with any coach. Anyone with a brain knows that.

Actually in case of Pitkeev, some time ago i read a lengthy discussion on a russian chat, people who skated at CSKA were saying that Pitkeev said himself that his back issues started since earlier years (childhood?), and that he made a choice to skate all these years, until he could not, not linking it to any coaches. But yet it does get "linked"..

I'll never understand how someone so "seasoned" in life can be so simplistic in your thinking.

there is time and place for everthing.. "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't".. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjVKUap1HgU

Kovtun has been plagued with back problems for years--since he was a teen. That and his work ethic have always been the reason his career has been such a rollercoaster.

He and several others, and yet they chose to skate competitively at a very high level. I often wonder, if they and their parents do not see the problem, does a coach have an obligation to ask such skater to stop, or refuse training him/her. On the other hand, if one coach refuses, another one will take him/her. The only option to stop them is to have an official team doctor prohibit them from participating in the official competitions... But then they can switch countries..

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

Actually in case of Pitkeev, some time ago i read a lengthy discussion on a russian chat, people who skated at CSKA were saying that Pitkeev said himself that his back issues started since earlier years (childhood?), and that he

That's my understanding as well. He might have had a congenital spine abnormality that got worse as he got older. Obviously, being a figure skater didn't help. I doubt Tutberidze could have done anything. Training in her group was not for the weak of heart. Pressure to do quads at a young age was enormous, and Pitkeev did what everyone else did. He was a very quiet kid, didn't like to trouble anyone with his problems. By the time Eteri knew, by the time he moved to Buyanova - it was all over.

 

[rfisher]

A lot of skaters have nagging back issues, comes with the territory. Gets worse with age, too. Those quads aren't kind on the body. Unfortunately, Pitkeev's back problems were much more serious. By 2016 he had chronic pain and couldn't function off the ice. Buyanova did everything she could to help him out, but it was too late. She really went above and beyond. It was a truly crippling injury. Pitkeev is very lucky that he did not push himself any further.

I think singles figure skating is like golf in that most elite athletes will end up with chronic back pain; look at Plushenko.. Pair guys get shoulder issues and dancers get knee problems. It just goes with the sport.

 

[PRlady]

I wonder if this is true about any older people, regardless of their nationality. It seems to me that the older the person is, the more set in their opinions they are and would not stop even for second to re-evaluate. Also the thinking in extremes (things and people are either good or bad, never anything in between).

As an older person myself I can say with authority that some of us get less dogmatic as we get older (as someone who has to argue with Bernie-crazed-millennials who think they’re Socialists, god help us.)

But there is plenty of research demonstrating that growing up in an authoritarian culture does contribute to more black-and-white thinking.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I work with two young Russian women. They are very balanced (and sort of zen) in their thinking. They always express their frustrations with their parents' approach to life: people are good or evil; mistakes are not to be forgiven; you are either a friend or an enemy; never let things go, etc. Thinking in absolutes is very simplistic. Maybe it has something to do with living, as an adult, in a black & white Soviet culture.

Soviet culture, as any "culture" has an impact, but a younger generation always think that elders are rigid, any time, any place.

I think age is definitely a factor. But I know a lot of older people that are very flexible in their thinking. And a lot that are not. The ones that have more open minds work on it. Adaptability and capacity to have a broader perspective is a trait that's not unique to any culture. But some cultures do have a more rigid way of thinking, historically speaking.

The "inflexible one" is often called the one you don't agree with and can't change his/her point of view. Yet one's "point of view" may have been developed and formed as a result of many changes, experiences and adaptation processes in that person's life.

In the process of changes, new experiences, circumstances, etc., the one who adopts to all that, and survives, and comes out ok, or good, or great, may have a solid base for certain views, unlike "younger generation" who has not yet gone through the same.

Also, sometimes people who are very flexible in many aspects, have strong stands on few critical ones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWGtjqv19ZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUGCpL8Qixw

...because sometimes "there is no other hand"..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkiWIpiQjbQ

 

[hanca]

As an older person myself I can say with authority that some of us get less dogmatic as we get older (as someone who has to argue with Bernie-crazed-millennials who think they’re Socialists, god help us.)

But there is plenty of research demonstrating that growing up in an authoritarian culture does contribute to more black-and-white thinking.

You seem to attribute it to growing up in authoritarian culture, but I noticed a few people (family and extended family) gradually changing throughout their lives. For example, my father used to be pretty flexible and I remember many occasions him teaching us in our childhood that things are not so ‘black-and-white’, that there is lots of shades of gray in between. And yet now he seems to be very much inflexible and ‘black-and-white’ with all his opinions. And I mean really about everything. And he is not the only person who changed this way. Yes, the totalitarian upbringing probably didn’t help, but he didn’t used to be like this, he started changing this way in his sixties and now in his seventies he is even more rigid with his thinking.

 

[PRlady]

You seem to attribute it to growing up in authoritarian culture, but I noticed a few people (family and extended family) gradually changing throughout their lives. For example, my father used to be pretty flexible and I remember many occasions him teaching us in our childhood that things are not so ‘black-and-white’, that there is lots of shades of gray in between. And yet now he seems to be very much inflexible and ‘black-and-white’ with all his opinions. And I mean really about everything. And he is not the only person who changed this way. Yes, the totalitarian upbringing probably didn’t help, but he didn’t used to be like this, he started changing this way in his sixties and now in his seventies he is even more rigid with his thinking.

Sometimes what younger people think is rigidity is experience.

No matter how many times I have tried them in different recipes, I don’t like beets or okra. So I’m not rigid when I say I don’t eat them, I’m just experienced.

Doomed to a certain number of cocktail parties because of my career, I tried everything possible to enjoy them. Didn’t work. Now I skip them if at all possible.

Sitcoms, bah. Yeah I tried the one with Sheldon and Brooklyn 99 and Blackish and Modern Family and dozens of others, but I haven’t really liked them since All in the Family and Rhoda. So I’ll stick to the dramas and leave the rest of you to yuck it up. Even watching the psychopath on Killing Eve is more entertaining than a sitcom.

And nothing will ever make me like tango music. Thank god the season is over.

 

[Perky Shae Lynn]

I think singles figure skating is like golf in that most elite athletes will end up with chronic back pain; look at Plushenko.. Pair guys get shoulder issues and dancers get knee problems. It just goes with the sport.

Yup. You are absolutely correct. I would add chronic hip issues to the list of injuries that plague single skaters.