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gwern comments on A few questions on International Rationality - Less Wrong Discussion
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No, although Russia is interesting for other reasons: they are still unusually atheistic, have old proto-transhumanists and rocketry enthusiasts, and recently have begun efforts into SENS-style life extension and cryonics. (Russian scientists apparently did a lot of investigation into nootropics, and there are multiple interesting substances I've seen where all the info was basically in Russian.)
As far as I know, there's little to no real transhumanism in Japan. This is weird and I do not understand it. The ideas are certainly in circulation, through SF, the leisure & wealth are also there (as proven by the infinite works of the otaku), and there is tolerance of robots and software (eg. Vocaloid) you don't see even in America.
China may not be important: they're still busy getting wealthy, their nonprofit/philanthropy is non-existent (thanks in part to Communist Party paranoia about non-commercial organizations), and Chinese intellectuals worth reaching quite possibly speak English already.
tangential: have you compiled a list of interesting substances where the info is in Russian?
No.
It could be quite valuable to translate that material.
Can someone recommend good Russian learning material? Preferably something that could be found online (books count).
I bet a lot of medical terms are borrowed from Western European languages, so just learning the alphabet might get you a good way.
Could you clarify, what do you want to learn, and for what reason? I think I may help you with specific book or manuals.
One political party (the one currently in goverment) ''auctions'' 111,000 dollar dinners with the party's leader (prime minister). This year only one-non Chinese person bought it, and those Chinese people bought it impulsively at random events
I can add, that there are more at least slightly religious people in Russia today, than 10-20 years ago. Transhumanism may be supported by people, who was graduated in USSR, but now Russia Orthodox Church becomes more influential and helps to support irrationality and biases. Science fiction in Russia is dominated by the fantasy book, which can't support any rational ideas and transhumanism.
But, there are also people, who have studied natural sciences in colleges and may want to become more rational and support, for example, cryonics.
I have also met some Japanese people, and I can say, that they prefer to be practical and even utilitarian in their life, and this can be seen as rational approach. Comparing with Russia, they have much more "user friendly" things in their daily life, for example, remote controlled WCs.