Ask A Bulgarian

[FriendlyFire]

The most corrupt country in Europe (the continent), according to Transparency International, is Ukraine (followed by Russia, Belarus and Moldova). But inside the European Union, Bulgaria is certainly the most corrupt (followed by Italy, Romania and Greece) and Lithuania certainly has nothing on us in this regard. Though in terms of negative rankings, Lithuania is, IIRC, a "leader" in suicides, while Bulgaria - in unhappiness.

I thought that Greece was close to over taking Bulgaria in 2016
Had no idea that Bulgaria was so unhappy though, but it is quite a poor country and its been trying to get into the EU for some time now. Probably didnt help that the EU sanctions and RU retaliation have put a damper on the economy

 

[Ferocitus]

Only mathematician who also was a historian i know was Mnaseas of Patrae, iirc in the third - ?- century BC.
Funnily enough, i know him from his notes on the Getae (who lived in the current border of Bulgaria with Romania) as worshiping Saturn by the name of Zamolxis (Zamolxis was first mentioned by Herodotos i suppose, maybe as a former slave and then student of Pythagoras).

I'm sure you know of the wonderful Bertrand Russell, but he's not remembered primarily as a mathematician or historian.

 

[Ferocitus]

I always tend to think of Fomenko's New chronology for the cases where good mathematicians try to seriously mess with history. Then again, that's a pretty extreme case.

Yes, it would be like referring to Zhirinovsky sound-bites as "political philosophy".

I wouldn't, but then again, I've grown pretty attached to the country and people (for personal reasons). I do consider the Balts as close cousins to the Slavs though (Balto-Slavic linguistic branch and all that), but I can also certainly understand why many of them could be wary of any Slavic connections (the same way we in Bulgaria are wary of Turkic ones).

I know what you mean. The way you expressed it suggests that a stellar diplomatic career awaits you.

 

[NikeBG]

Any recommendations on the gadulka and tambura?

You're doing Total War mods? Interesting.

Gadulka - Atanas Valchev, Mihail Marinov, Mincho Nedyalkov
Tambura - Rumen Sirakov
Btw, in regards to the bagpipes, I've forgotten Stefan Zahmanov. And I've also discovered I don't particularly like solo bagpipes (for too long, at least), but find them to be a pretty good accompanying instrument, even in the epic cases when it's accompanying other bagpipes.

Otherwise, I'm only researching (for M2TW and M&B mods) - others are doing the heavy lifting.

I thought that Greece was close to over taking Bulgaria in 2016
Had no idea that Bulgaria was so unhappy though, but it is quite a poor country and its been trying to get into the EU for some time now. Probably didnt help that the EU sanctions and RU retaliation have put a damper on the economy

Nah, Greece still has quite a way down to reach us.
As for the unhappiness: I'm not sure if it's in any way connected to poorness and finances - some of the happier countries in those rankings were quite poorer than us (though it certainly wouldn't hurt to be Danish, of course). I have no real idea what the real cause may be, so I tend to just blame it on communism, which did produce quite a substantial shift in the national psyche (and not for the better).
Btw, we've been in the EU for 10 years and 3 days now - it's Schengen that we're trying to get into.

 

[Ferocitus]

And I've also discovered I don't particularly like solo bagpipes (for too long, at least), but find them to be a pretty good accompanying instrument, even in the epic cases when it's accompanying other bagpipes.

We Australians also appreciate an epic bagpipe solo...

I have no real idea what the real cause may be, so I tend to just blame it on communism, which did produce quite a substantial shift in the national psyche (and not for the better).

It served its purpose as a counter to fascism, then authoritarian creeps in several countries eventually took control and distorted it beyond recognition.

 

[NikeBG]

I don't know if it's because I'm just used to our own bagpipes or it's something in the construction of the instrument, but I find Scottish bagpipes easier to listen to. And if it goes with AC/DC, it's a real pleasure.

 

[Takhisis]

That's because Scottish bagpipes are awesome.

I'll have to enqueue all of the above and issue some comments.

 

[Lohrenswald]

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/03/...ruption-privatization-judiciary-islamophobia/

Is this accurate?

 

[Takhisis]

I believe Tolni was recently complaining about wasted ballots, maybe he could explain further…