this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Where are they getting these IRL GWAR characters?

[–] Rakonat@lemmy.world 45 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Russian culture is pretty much the embodiment of might makes right. If you inflict harm on someone weaker than you to prove a point, you're manly. If you had the opportunity to inflict harm on someone and get away with it, but chose not to, you're a coward. The military recruitment and hazing process only servers to turn this up to 11.

This has been the basis of Russia for the last 3 centuries if not longer, and its how they think the world should work, but can't figure out why everyone hates them, especially those both geographically and culturally close to them.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

When in Russia, rule as the Russians do, right? Crazy how much influence someone like Ivan the Terrible can have on culture and broader world events from such a distance.

[–] Bbbbbbbbbbb@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Theyve always been there. Every military in the world is an attractive spot for these people. They want to get the chance to reach a foreign zone where their superiors will let them do whatever they please, unless they are the commanding officer, in that case bets are off.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Every army has its share of Ed Gallaghers, sure. But it seems like the Russians have like... a lot of sociopaths. Something to do with recruiting from prisons, or just the disquieting power of hateful state media?

[–] loutr@sh.itjust.works 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hazing in the Russian military (dedovshchina) is horrifying, straight up torture, mutilation and even murder. Families often use their entire savings to bribe officials so their sons aren't conscripted. So the Russian military is made up of the dregs of society, people so destitute they can't pay their way out of military service. Mental health issues are prevalent, either from their past life or from the hazing itself.

[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Great. More normal and cool behavior, classic Russia.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

Their system is buggy, it's time for a reboot.

[–] TranscendentalEmpire@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Theyve always been there. Every military in the world is an attractive spot for these people.

I think this is a pretty commonly held misconception about the nature of genocide or crimes against humanity. We all have the potential to partake in such actions, the vast majority of people who partake in these crimes are just every day normal people.

The Russian military creates misery wherever they go because being in the Russian military has been a miserable state of existence for the last three hundred years.

No matter what government or time and place in history, being enlisted or conscripted in the Russian military has meant that you will be hazed, raped, stolen from, and then made to rape, steal, and haze new recruits. It's an actual part of how they maintain institutional discipline.

[–] Carighan@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

GWAR is a thrash metal band known for elaborate and inventive depictions of violence and sexual depravity, often leavened with wickedly humorous commentary on politics, religion, and the human condition.

That's my off the cuff guess at what their Wikipedia page looks like, anyway. Go listen for yourself if you like over the top metal that doesn't take its image too seriously.