Appleyard:

Yes on the above, but again, wrong on the bolded. Contrary to what many people would want to believe, Russian inventors (both home and abroad) and their revolutionary innovations has constributed generously to the global scientific thought, helping us to enjoy the much of what the civilized world got to offer today.
From the invention of Catapillar tracks/tracks assembling in 1837, which gave the greenlight for the production of tractors and tanks globally, then to the invention of Electrically-powered railway wagons, Videotape recorder, radio,
Helicopter, Solar Cell, Transformer, Television, Petrol cracking, Synthetic rubber, Grain harvester, and so on, are some of Russian contributions to the global technological prowess. It is only a russophobe that would deny Russia its place in the history of technology.

No doubt, there are some really smart physicist and engineers in Russia. However, you must understand that Russia priorities defense spending over anything else.

One way of getting an idea of a country in terms of innovation is to look at how much a country spends as a % of its GDP - on research and development. The top countries using this criteria are South Korea, Israel and Japan. On an absolute basis, the top countries are USA, China and the European Union.

You can also look at how much a country spends in terms of education, and the ranking of its tertiary institutions on a global scale. Then you would understand that Russia, despite its large population, ranks very low in terms of human capital development or innovation.

This is not a Russophobe thing. It's just mere facts. If Russia has great technology, its industrial products will compete worldwide. Besides military and petroleum products, there is no single industry that Russia can boast of superior advantage, compared with countries like Germany, Japan and China, talkless of the United States.

Secondly. My brother, some countries ''feign'' alliances, most especially when its a military one. For instance, what would a country like Montenegro gain or contribute, in purely military sense, if it joins NATO, if not for some of the largees or prestige that it believe might follow NATO's structural deployment, which of course is mostly constituted by US components? This is just an exaggeration though.
The fact here is that, a nation may join an alliance not because of the primary interest of that alliance, but because of a certain objective which is totally different or quite contrary to the primary objective of that alliance. When this is the case, that country has feigned its alliance motive.

I would argue that countries don't feign alliances. Countries look out for what is in their own best interests. Montenegro cannot contribute anything to NATO. But it can certainly gain from improving its National security by being in the alliance. You may choose to argue on whether article 5 works or not. But so far, no country in the alliance has ever come under foreign attack. So what's there for Montenegro to loose? Nations are not joining the alliance to protect the interest of the alliance. They are joining the alliance to protect their own security interests.

For example, a country like Hungary aggressively competed for a NATO headquarters to be established in its territory, even though it claims to have good relations with Russia, why do you think this is the case? Perhaps it is the case that these countries are only "feigning" good relations with Russia, but they don't really trust Russia? Why do you think many countries choose to stay in NATO despite the fact that they can walk away free at anytime? Why do you think more countries are knocking the door to be let into NATO?

It is simple, these countries have much more to gain from being in NATO, probably even more than the US itself. The US does not have to worry about little green men appearing in California, these countries do.

The reality speaks for itself.
Missy's logic (citing Kenedy's killing) lonly appease to kids, and you would do well to stay away from them
What makes she think that institutions in Russia doesn't functions, but those in the US functions, and are the ones only democratic and legal? :-)Lets live that for now.
Which legal situation has arisen with Putin that he blatantly overuled?
Insinuations and facts differs, sir.
So, my brother, Lets not put the cart before the horse.
God bless

Let's not kid ourselves.

Appleyard:


Wow! Thanks for your inputs.

I believe that when we are talking about technology, you understand that there are different areas of specialization and various components of craftmanship that embodies the term ''technology''? That South Korea excels in robotics and Japan in rail technology than Russia, so implies that Russia doesn't stack up well in technology, eh? This i must say, is plain ignorance, and a dozage of the popular misconception prevailing in the west. Russia's technological credibility is overwhelmingly entrenched in areas such as in Eletrical Engineering, Ship Building, Aerospace, Weaponry, Space Technology, Communications, IT, Nuclear technology, etc. The only difference between Russia and the likes of those nations you mentioned, is the issue of PR. The west far excelled Russia in PR vis Marketability, and the past history and economic policies of the Soviet Union didn't help matters, and its still haunting; though that is gradually changing. Even the United States you mentioned still relies on Russia's tech to launch into space. My brother, this is reality, not fiction.

The misplaced priority regarding Russia's technological prowess is mostly associated with kids who measured technological supremacy by the levels of smart phones and exaltic cars they see everyday, and knows from whence it came. But those who knows the truth about the Soviet past and the present day Russia, will know the sum of the matter.

Yes, Russia does well in military engineering -military aircraft, tanks, missiles and nukes - and it has a well funded military industrial complex. But that's where it stops. Russia is not a country that is pushing the frontier of technological innovation.

Appleyard:

Yes. The US weilds much more political influence far ahead of Russia, and this was mostly made possible following the implosion of the Soviet Union. But you are not completely correct in asserting that the tenets of international law are mostly based on the interests of the US. Rather, they are ''affected'' by the paradigm of US interest. There were norms, and still, laws that governs the relationship of states in the international order prior to 1990 and thereafter. The implosion of the Soviet Union rent in tatters the written and unwritten laws of Checks and Balance among the power players, and from thence urshered in an era of unchallenged US power and oversight in the pursue of its core interest. Otherwise, the basic tenets of IT law was never based on the core interest of the US, but rather became affected by it after the Cold War.

I think our conclusion is both the same - Political influence is one of the primary reasons why the US is a superpower. It has the ability to influence Global conventions and national governments/parliaments.

Appleyard:


Like i said, the political influence of the US is never in doubt, but one real overlooked fact is that, such influence is overwhelmingly tied to the one same factor - the US economy. Some of these nations you see today feigning alliance with the US, are in because of the money. They hate the US as much as a terrorist do. I always laugh at the Hollywood pipe-like dream of a 28 member block destroying Russia, when war breaks out, its then people will realize how deeply hateful and resentful some of this nations are towards one another. Of course, they will continue to play along with their master for the time being, and lets hope that day never comes. Besides, US Influence has its limit per the target nation concerned. The US can influence much of NATO in its war against hapless states like Iraq, Afghan, Libya, etc, but when it comes to players like Russia or China, i doubt if much of them will walk that road with the US. The most they can do, they have done it, and one can only laugh at the angry response and frustration coming from some of them now, following the impact of the Russian counter measures. I wonder how the reaction would be when it comes to the theatre of blood-Nuclear for that matter.

Firstly, It seems you think that US alliance rests on NATO. This is false. Many Non Nato countries for example Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, contributed troops to the Iraq War.

Secondly, countries don't "feign" alliance. If the US does not believe that it has something to gain from being in an alliance with a country, it simply won't do so. For example, turkey did not join the Iraq war, but it hosts many forward deployed US miliatry assets.

Thirdly, it seems you consider the role of an alliance to strict military sense. Greece and Hungary have good relationships with Russia, but they agreed to a US led economic sanctions, why do you think this is the case?

Fourthly, the ability to build alliances in a short notice is a capability that is unique to the United States. This is one of the very few core reasons why it is to be defined as a superpower. This is precisely why China is stunned as to how the US could build an alliance of several smaller countries in its own backyard.

Appleyard:

Pls name one governmental/administrative institution in place in the US that is not available in Russia.

As Missy has mentioned, the existence of institutions does not mean that they function.

How many courts in Russia can overrule Putin? Well, i will tell you - NONE!

Appleyard:
Nobody is confuse here, except the likes of your lots with a vague one-sided views who never want to believe in reality. Who was dragging superpower status with the US, aside US anti-Russia/China rhetorics? Has Russia or China at any time told you that they are more of a superpower than the US? Please furnish me with examples. All they ever wanted was respect and recognition for their own national interests and domestic ways vis-a-vis the stark reality of the multipolar global order, as against US notion of exceptionalism and unipolarism. And this is exactly what the lot of us here have been saying.
Nukes alone doesn't make you a superpower, and every Diick and Harry knows that. To be a complete Superpower, you need the SP TRIPLETS: The Economy, The technology and the Milltary Might. The 1st is the outstanding one as the rest two derives their potentials and validity from it, even though they are all interdependent. And as the superpower status implies, your Triplets MUST be totally above that of your opponents in terms of sophistication and quality, and the only area in which the US beat the rest, is in the economy. The US Economy is the Chief among the big boys (though China is fast catching up.) and it gives it comperative advantage above the rest. This is the ONLY area in the SP TRIPLET chain that put the US above Russia, and Putin simply stated the obvious- the economic power of the US makes it the SuperPower compare to the rest of the key players; not in the millitary or technological sense of it, as some of you would always want to believe. Aside economics, the US is only a superpower to third world countries, and you can keep that up your sleeves.

Remain bless.

There are many countries that are way ahead of Russia in terms of economy and technology.

Japan, Germany, France, South Korea for example. And none of them is even close to being called a Superpower.

As a matter of fact, where it comes to technology, Russia does not stack up well against a host of countries, talk less of the United States. For example, South Korea is one of the best in the world in robotics, Japan in rail technology etc. Although these countries do not spend as much on military, their technological advantage far outclasses that of Russia.

The US has the largest concentration of technology companies in the world. By FAR!!! It's not even close.

That said, there are other factors besides economy, military or technology that makes a superpower. The most important one being Political influence.

The US is light million years ahead of Russia where it comes to political influence. This gives it tremendous ability to make global impact. If you study international law, you would realize that the tenets are mostly based on issues relating to US interest.

2) Following from political influence, you ignore the tremendous amount of alliance that the US can build up quickly in a short time frame. How many countries in the world can get other countries to go to war on their behalf - from Iraq to Afghanistan.

3) You ignore the power of institutions. The US's ability to function as a superpower is not dependent on a single person. If Obama leaves the presidency, the US can still project its superpower status because it's public institutions are well established and are stronger. Russia on the other hand operates a power vertical approach, where all the power is concentrated in the hands of Putin and his siloviki. What happens when he leaves the stage?

Cutesexy1:
So adorable

Hey, you are adorable...drinks sometime?

.

heo88:



Bros this is very interesting because I am also 28, London based, although born and raised here and I think I understand your frustration. I am going to try to assist the best way I can.

I have also been to many MBTN and NCITY events. It's mostly recycled people so it's not worth attending to find new women.

In terms of improving your hitherto rate of luck, it may be worth asking yourself what your end goal is. That may seem abstract and I can deduce from your initial post that you want to get married sooner rather than later. However, if I was in your shoes I'd ask myself why do I want to get married so much? How can a women make a worthwhile contribution to my life? Etc

You see the problem is most people, and this includes many of the young ladies you'll meet at such events, or even elsewhere in London, are out for what they can get. That's to say that they don't get the precept of 'quid pro quo', that is mutually beneficial relationships. Often they can give you an Economics PhD-level thesis of what they want from you, but the irony in this is that they often have little to offer themselves; not even rudiments. Even some of the latter-day 'Feminists' are only operating under this rubric so as to turn guy to mugu-maga through pseudo-intellectual manipulation. Make sure that the same standard any babe wants to hold you to, she's also willing to meet herself. If not then jog her on sharp sharp.

I wish you well, but please bear in mind that you're in a good position and any women who falls from the sky may actually do more harm than good. It's imperative she's worth spending time with, otherwise it's a waste of finite resources. Please don't get frustrated with yourself as to not having cornered a babe and remember you will be a catch for many a babe. Take your time, relax and be at peace; the right babe for you will eventually come.

All the best and Godspeed.

Thank you. I feel your post captures my frustration pretty well. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer much in the way of solutions. You are quite spot on with regards to the nature of the networking events - typically attended by ladies in their early thirties, whose core goals, i presume is to out-compete other ladies for the relatively few guys in the room. These sorts of settings frustrate me.

My medium term goal is to have a stable relationship that may on the longer term hopefully lead to marriage. In the shorter term, i would like to focus on building my career but at the same time, have a partner with whom i can strongly connect with, enjoy companionship and carefully plan a future with.

Yes, there are many girls in London and I have tried dating outside of what i would consider my default setting - i.e folks from other culture or background. It just hasn't worked out. The bigger problem, i suppose, is that i know what i want, and i feel too strongly about it -

Integrityfarms:
I was asking what's the need for stashing up trillions in the CBN vault without injecting it into the economy especially at such a hard time. Expansionary Fiscal and Monetary policy is always recommended in economic situations like this. But no time is too late shaa!

Expansionary fiscal AND monetary policy after inflation had jumped from 9.6% to 11.4%? Where did you get your economics degree from?

CoCoLav:


It can't be that bad. Starting a conversation while walking around the aisles isn't a bad idea, it's also a pretty relaxed environment.

I thought you were being cheeky when you suggested the grocery store. I really haven't thought of the situation where i actually leave home to shop erhm- for a relationship?..arghh! why does it really have to come down to that?!!

By the way, you've got a nice diary going.

Siena:
Lonehenge, I would say you're limiting yourself, because you're specifically searching for Nigerian girls. I would just go with the flow, loves transcends all colour and races.

When I was single, I had a whale of a time, and I was mostly driving. You taking the train opens up more possibilities than if you were driving, as you're mixing with more people.

Thanks Sienna. By the way, i really admire your passion for cars. I have seen a number of your posts on the auto section. Whereabouts in the UK are you?

CoCoLav:
Such women don't really attend those events, unless you get lucky on a day her friends succeed in getting her out of her apartment. For her it's also work, sleep and eat.

You can try grocery stores though

This is EXACTLY what i thought.

Might have a go at the grocery store idea, how bad could it be?

tearoses:


LOL at help a brother

@Lonehenge if you work in the city, you should be bumping into ladies on the tube, train, walking, bus, when you go out to get lunch......
If you work the same hours everyday and take the same route, then its likely that you see the same faces on your commute.

There is this lady I see several times a week on my way to work, She drives the same car as me. We drive in opposite directions and meet on the same stretch of road. She started flashing me and waving when she sees me and I wave back.
In short people can be friendly if you are friendly back.

How about making friends at work. Hope you are not one of those stuck up Nigerians "I can never speak to a fellow Nigerian at work" .....Just joking
But seriously many relationships start from networking....."a friend of a friend meet up"
Some of my naija colleagues at work we meet outside of work too. Just choose the sensible and decent ones.

Attend parties when invited even 40, 50, 60, 70th birthday parties. They may not be your thing but There may be just someone like you at the event sitting lonely and be happy to chat with someone her age.

Also attend all sorts of events and dont just stay at home. Do you know how many people attend the Festival of Life in London? Errm I didnt say go and toast o! just letting you know that you can make friends anywhere.

Most times a smile goes a long way. I also didn't say go and be smiling like mumu everywhere, but I am sure you know what I mean

Just that you said you dont want LDR . . . .cos I have plenty ladies looking for Mr Right & men looking for Miss Right on my radar.

Aim to make friends first and you will be surprised at what may happen next.

Lots of good stuff in your post. I think London is the quintessential single man's hell. I find socializing while on commute to be practically impossible. On a typical weekday morning, I am stuck in a packed train on my way to work -usually with my face stuffed right next to a stranger's armpit, while the other stranger next to you is either drinking hot coffee or has a really annoying perfume. Everyone else on the tube just have the usual blank sad face - In addition, i have found that the odds of meeting a single naija chic in these places are pretty low - or perhaps I am just really unlucky?

Just to be clear, having a relationship in Nigeria is not what I am looking for since such types eventually tend to lead into long distance dating. And I don't consider long distance dating a good way to build trust and understand your partner

I am 28 this year and I have lived in London for more than 4 years. I have a decent job in the city and career progression looks good too.

My biggest source of frustration has been my loveless life for the past 3 years or so. Day by day I am stuck in the vicious circle of work, sleep, play eat. Repeat. As I am approaching 30, I am starting to get really worried about myself

I have tried a few networking events...notably MBTN and NCITY events, however, I am not too certain if these either adds to my frustration or somewhat provide some relief knowing that there are many others like me out there.

More fundamental is that the woman I have dreamed of - Nigerian roots, smart, open minded, ambitious, confident and fun - never seem to attend these events....maybe she doesn't exist at all?

Anyway, back to my reason for opening a thread, I would like to know if there are many others out here like me?

Second, for those who have been like me before, what have you done differently?

Other views or opinions are of course welcomed.