Televisions are tools that are used to
change societies by moulding the aspirations of ordinary people.
During its first showing, city streets empty,
crime rates dropped significantly and power stations had to increase
production. In 1973 “Seventeen moments of
Spring” was broadcasted for the first time. It was one of the Soviet Unions
most popular TV series of it’s time.
The main character a Soviet spy named Max
Otto von Stirlitz was created by the KGB, too recruit new members and to
glorify agents serving abroad. Many wanted to be like Stirlitz, but one in
particular ended up becoming one of the most powerful people in the world
today.
Vladimir Putin was one of those viewers. In
his first television appearance in 1992, Putin
re-enacted an important scene, depicting
himself as Stirlitz. This helped launch his national political career.
A hero gives us hope and desire, it makes
us feel compassioned in times of crisis, it makes us feel taken care of in
times of loss. But should our hero also be our leader?
