Historian Antony Beevor publishes a new book that dissects the figure of Rasputin, the Siberian holy man who, with his combination of mysticism and extreme lust, accelerated the collapse of the Russian Empire. Beevor shows how a man without official position managed to manipulate the Romanov court. For the citizenry, this story is a clear warning: the abuse of personal influence can destabilize entire governments, without the need for an office or a decree.
The Algorithm of the Strongman: How a Viral Profile Replicates the Rasputin Effect đź§
In the digital age, the Rasputin phenomenon is replicated daily without the need for levitation. An influencer or an unscrupulous advisor, with access to a leader's account, can make decisions that affect millions. The difference is that today power is not exercised at an imperial dinner, but through a tweet or a post. The algorithm amplifies the voice of those who know how to use it, and if that user lacks ethical filters, the entire system trembles. The technical lesson is clear: access to accounts must be audited with the same obsession as Nicholas II's secret police, but with better results.
Rasputin's Online Course on Being a Court Advisor Without Dying in the Attempt đź’€
If Rasputin had lived in 2024, he would surely have become a millionaire selling a course on how to influence your boss without being a civil servant. The method is simple: a bit of mysticism, a couple of miraculous healings, and a contact list at the royal dacha. Of course, the course includes an advanced module on how to avoid being poisoned, stabbed, and finally thrown into the Neva River. In the end, the student discovers that the only secret to maintaining power is not having a group of drunken aristocrats as enemies. A matter of priorities.