Tag: Generative AI
Just one more turn: When Boris Yeltsin played Civilization
In 1995, a Russian tabloid ran a story about the video game habits of politicians. The findings were predictable—many professed a fondness for Tetris, one member of parliament was rumoured to play arcades, and most claimed they were far too busy for such frivolities. But the real prize came at the end: an unnamed Kremlin source mentioned that, in his rare spare moments, President Yeltsin liked to play Civilization.
It’s a statement that raises more questions than it answers. Did he play as Russia, or did he prefer to rewrite history as Rome or the Germans? Was he a benevolent builder, ushering in a golden age of culture, or did he discover the joys of the nuclear option? One imagines late-night sessions in the Kremlin, a glass of something strong at hand, as advisors hesitantly knocked on the door: “Mr. President, we have a situation.”
“Yes, yes,” Yeltsin might have muttered. “Just one more turn.”
I couldn’t find the original Komsomolskaya Pravda piece online, but a similar report appeared in Kommersant in 1997, stating—according to confidential sources in the Moscow mayor’s office—that city officials preferred playing Doom over a local network and the more “constructive” Civilization. Most federal officials, on the other hand, claimed they had never touched a computer game, citing two main reasons: a lack of computers and overwhelming workloads that left them with splitting headaches by evening.
Elia Kabanov is a science writer covering the past, present and future of technology (@metkere).
Illustration by Elia Kabanov feat. Midjourney.
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Beyond the stones: Discovering Hadrian’s Wall
I can’t quite pinpoint when Hadrian’s Wall first entered my life. Was it a line in a book, a fleeting image on a TV show, or perhaps a fragment of a history lesson that lodged itself in the corners of my mind? The origin of this fascination remains shrouded in mystery, but the obsession it sparked is apparent.
Ranger’s House: A walk through time at Greenwich Park
In my latest adventure through English Heritage sites, I found myself at Ranger’s House, an elegant Georgian villa in Greenwich Park. This red-brick beauty, though simple in appearance, has housed a remarkable array of famous tenants over the years, from naval officers to members of the royal family.
Osborne House: A royal retreat amidst time and tranquility
Childhood summers spent in my grandparents’ village home cultivated an appreciation for the sense of belonging that only certain places can evoke. In a way, I was not so different from the British royal family who cherished their retreat at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Eltham Palace: Where art deco splendor marries the past and future
My passion for Art Deco, a style that epitomises the glamour and innovation of the early 20th century, has always been intertwined with a deep respect for historic architecture—the older, the better. I was intrigued by how Art Deco evoked echoes of past historical styles, pushing design into a futuristic realm. This blend of eras drew me to Eltham Palace, where the medieval grandeur meets the sleek lines of Art Deco.
Echoes across time: My journey with Stonehenge and AI artistry
My fascination with Stonehenge began in childhood as I pored over pictures and stories about this enigmatic structure in old books in the attic. The image of magnificent stones against the backdrop of the English countryside has been embedded in my imagination ever since.