More specifically, someone who has kept a close eye on the Ukraine-Russia situation essentially ever since problems began escalating in Crimea. I'm currently writing a short story (I suppose one would label it political sci-fi) set some 50-100 years into the future, and both the Israel-Palestina and Russia-Ukraine conflicts play an important role in establishing the chain of events leading up to the actual story. These are sensitive topics with a lot of emotional load on both sides, and I would like to do my best in representing them fairly.
Unlike what I usually write, my goal with this story is to test my ability of commenting on social and political issues through writing. I've always been fascinated by writers that manage to both write a great story and convey their thoughts and opinions coherently through the story, and it's something I've wanted to try my hand at for some time. As to not make a fool of myself, I need to have the facts down!
I don't really have a lot to offer beyond a lot of gratitude, but I'll buy you three months of TL+ or a few drinks if you happen to live somewhere I might go to for an SC2 event (probably limited to Europe)
What I'm looking for:
Everyone is biased, but I would really appreciate if you could keep your opinions toned down. I need a somewhat objective view (where possible) of what has happened and is happening in Ukraine. If you could give me a run-down of the events leading up to the Ukraine crisis as well, that would be even better.
A few hours of your time. I'll contact you via TL but it would likely be a lot easier to chat over Skype or IRC. I'm not looking to create a peer-reviewed analysis on the intricacies of the Ukraine crisis, but I'd like to at least iron out the wrinkles, so to speak.
A personal opinion on what the conclusion/consequences will be. How will people look back at the event fifty or a hundred years from now? Given the setting of my story, that's an interesting question that I would like some input on.
(BONUS) An interest in science fiction. It makes everything easier!
Let me know if you're interested via PMs or comments and I'll get back to you. Preferrably, also tell me why you know stuff.
On a partially related note, at least in terms of historical fiction, which I believe is the genre you would be interested in, a buddy of mine's father wrote an interesting, albeit tome like interpretation of what would have happened should the South have won the American Civil War.
It is called Democracy's Missing Arsenal, don't know if that is your cup of tea or not, but thought I would put it out there.
I followed the situation initially, but haven't of late. I think you may find VICE's coverage of the situation informative. They have done 70 some short bits from the start of the war on wards. May help with your research.
I suggest you find multiple people and not just one because the gamut of political prediction, especially in IR, varies from person to person based on their biases and the information available to them.
On September 18 2014 22:55 itsjustatank wrote: I suggest you find multiple people and not just one because the gamut of political prediction, especially in IR, varies from person to person based on their biases and the information available to them.
^ I've met some Ukrainians from the local diaspora who have really odd ideas about what's going on and they believe themselves to be experts... Yet they're the people you should be weary of because they're very opinionated, as will most people who have a stake in this conflict will.
On September 18 2014 22:55 itsjustatank wrote: I suggest you find multiple people and not just one because the gamut of political prediction, especially in IR, varies from person to person based on their biases and the information available to them.
^ I've met some Ukrainians from the local diaspora who have really odd ideas about what's going on and they believe themselves to be experts... Yet they're the people you should be weary of because they're very opinionated, as will most people who have a stake in this conflict will.
I don't know, wouldn't it be best to find someone who actually lives there in case you want to learn about cultural undercurrents?
On September 18 2014 22:55 itsjustatank wrote: I suggest you find multiple people and not just one because the gamut of political prediction, especially in IR, varies from person to person based on their biases and the information available to them.
^ I've met some Ukrainians from the local diaspora who have really odd ideas about what's going on and they believe themselves to be experts... Yet they're the people you should be weary of because they're very opinionated, as will most people who have a stake in this conflict will.
I don't know, wouldn't it be best to find someone who actually lives there in case you want to learn about cultural undercurrents?
It's actually really good to have but if you were to have only one perspective you definitely want an external observer rather than someone who's in the middle of the action because if we know anything, it's that people are really shit at introspection. The internal observers will perhaps have a lot more information about the undercurrents, but they'll also most likely be more biased, whereas the external experts will be able to give you perhaps a more objective assessment of the situation, but may very well be confused about the details and the deep trends that perhaps have old, obscure roots. Then again there certainly are people who live in Ukraine right now and have a very solid understanding of what's happening and the various currents that are influential, but unless you know who those are, it's hard to tell if they're being straight with you or if you're being spoonfed one side's propaganda.
Well if you handle the events of Israel - Palestina conflict already I think you're good. That conflict has a lot more history in it than Ukraine crisis.
you should contact praetorial, he's probably one of the most informed TL people you could find (top 5 nationally in competitive analytic speaking on current events). Not sure if he's still around on TL, but facebook or something could help.
On September 18 2014 22:55 itsjustatank wrote: I suggest you find multiple people and not just one because the gamut of political prediction, especially in IR, varies from person to person based on their biases and the information available to them.
^ I've met some Ukrainians from the local diaspora who have really odd ideas about what's going on and they believe themselves to be experts... Yet they're the people you should be weary of because they're very opinionated, as will most people who have a stake in this conflict will.
I don't know, wouldn't it be best to find someone who actually lives there in case you want to learn about cultural undercurrents?
There is definitely a language barrier there. Most Russian-speakers don't have as much of a reason to learn English as Europeans do. Those who do are usually those who left their country, which alone tends to speak volumes about their political tendencies. Frankly, the most of the individuals of Russian/Ukrainian descent who are strongly pro-Russia living in the US that I know are either the spouses or the children of those who actually wanted to leave the country. EU members are more likely to speak English for obvious reasons, and so in an English-speaking world you will get more of that perspective.
As for the OP: The Ukraine Crisis events themselves are listed in a straightforward enough manner on any timeline. The more important question to ask is, why did said events occur?
On September 18 2014 23:07 Skynx wrote: Someone call nunez, master of Ukraine crisis on TL :p
Joke aside I wish I had necessary knowledge, I love sci-fi and also love witnessing peoples writing process.
*deadly stab*
people from east of poland need not apply.
there was this one tl'er who seemed informed, kukachoo... kukarachoo... kukakukachoo... or something. but he stopped posting about the same time i started creeping him.
Are you a lazy writer? You can use: "Ukraine became an independent state in 1991. One thing led to another, and the air liner was shot down by unknown military force in 2014."
"Adolf Hitler's application to art school was denied at the age of eight. One thing led to another, and the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan."
EPT
