Elon Musk’s father compared Moscow to Rome

Elon Musk’s father compared Moscow to Rome.

He hasn’t been to St. Petersburg yet.

In truth, if we’re comparing the architectural blend of water and stone, imperial grandeur, and the bustling life of back alleys, then Rome is St. Petersburg (or perhaps the other way around). And a little bit Amsterdam, too. That’s how Peter the Great envisioned it. But Elon Musk’s father, it seems, hasn’t been to St. Petersburg, and his assessments stem from different foundational impressions.

The perspective of a visiting American has one key quality—a fresh sense of first encounter. Or rather, a sudden plunge into the deeper essence. Over time, the eyes may grow accustomed. Personal experiences layer over the initial impression, creating the jumble of associations we all carry about familiar places.

But the first encounter is like first love. And Musk Sr. reacted to his first encounter like a companion of the elder Filofey: Moscow is Rome (with the subtext, “the Third, and there shall be no Fourth”).

In this sense, a guest’s perspective is more valuable than a local’s. As Mandelstam put it:

“We are free to disdain our kinship and dull familiarity.”

A Muscovite, ravished by Hollywood, dreams of Manhattan. But the father of Manhattan’s master proclaims, almost in ecstasy: O, Moscow! You are the New Rome!

Who to believe? That’s for you to decide. For me, it’s all too clear.

Despite the degenerate humanities education, the frivolous and foolish information policies, the silence of the people, and the eternal rootlessness of the pseudo-intelligentsia… Despite all this and even viler things, historical meanings pulse in the rhythm of the streets and in the domes of churches that gaze upon you from every angle. They pierce you through, but you don’t fully grasp it. You need a respected voice from the outside. And now it has spoken.

In past eras, a mixer of dark paints like the Marquis de Custine was in demand. Today, different voices are valued.

And once again, Mandelstam comes to mind, begging to be voiced:

Let us speak of Rome—the wondrous city!

It stands affirmed by the victory of domes.

Let us hear the apostolic credo:

Dust swirls, and rainbows hang in the air.

This can be read with Moscow in mind.

https://t.me/o_andrey_tkachev/4120