[drysine]

>got to talk to a lot of Russians. It's clear the country has collapsed already

These are all emigrants, they tell each other (and you) these stories to make themselves feel better.

>The best knowledge workers left.

To Armenia? ))

[Schiendelman]

I get that you're being cute, but please don't think that last note is what I think! :)

Expats are usually right about their home countries - they're the ones with the most data points.

[drysine]

>Expats are usually right about their home countries - they're the ones with the most data points.

How so?

They don't live in the country and don't have a clue about what life is like there now. They read Western media and "opposition" news sites (living off State Department and EU grants) and those sources validate their decision to leave Russia.

There are over million of Ukrainian expats in Russia and the ones I know hate post-2014 Kiev regime with passion. Is that the case where expats are right?

[Schiendelman]

You seem... very biased. :)