Thread by @kamilkazani

You are implying that's some kind of exception, while in fact that's typical. You represent yourself as *whatever you think the West wants to see* when there is an incentive for that. And you act the opposite when the system of incentives change. I mean that's kinda obvious

https://twitter.com/pbyrokraatti/status/1557764959001518080

I think every non-Westerner with half a brain knows how to please the Western public opinion. Just identify what they want and try to fit into that role. How to identify what they want? Well, they won't shut up about it. May be you would like them to shut up, but they won't

That's not some high strategy. That's basic functionality. How do you get into a PhD program? Identify what they want to read in application and write it. A scholarship? The same to get *any kind of resources*. Once you get them, make an U-turn and do what you really want

Like when I was younger I was applying to Western academic programs. I got rejected every single time. Then I realised that I should keep silent about my academic interests. I should:

1. Identify what an admission committee wants to read
2. Write it down
3. Submit

That's it

That's a very simple example but that works with all kinds of resources really. Institutions that are distributing them have immense power. But they're extremely predictable. And extremely easy to play once you understand how they operate

Biggest mistake you can make is to think that you deal with humans. Bullshit. You deal with sth like this. Like would you actually share your views or research interests with amoeba? No. Then don't share them with admission committee either. These two are very much alike

This is so obvious that I am surprised it took me years to get it. Once in NYC I talked with my old mathematician friend from Russia who now runs his own business:

- You know, things got better when I stopped writing honest research proposals
- You ever did? [Visible disbelief]

Again, that's very simple case that illustrated a basic asymmetry of this world. Institutions are immensely more powerful than individuals. But they are dumber. Like very, very much dumber. So they are easy to deal with when you view them like you would view gigantic protozoa

Now if you believe, that reputable international media are smarter than admission/grant committees you are wrong. They may be even dumber protozoa:

"A fiery anti corruption crusader scored a landslide victory" you read in L.A. Times

"Amoeba noticed the light" you think

The end