E39: Pensions and Telegram

In this episode, Kevin discusses three stories: (1) the structure of Russia’s pension system and the ongoing problems with keeping it funded, (2) two reports by different media monitoring groups that study traffic on Telegram, and finally (3) why it is that the Russian authorities have failed to keep so many Russian Internet users from accessing Telegram.For more on these issues, see the following articles:“The Russian pension system's 2018 deficit will be twice as big as predicted”https://meduza.io/en/news/2018/04/25/the-russian-pension-system-s-2018-deficit-will-be-twice-as-big-as-predicted“Media monitoring website says traffic to Telegram channels dropped 76.5 percent after Russia blocked the app”https://meduza.io/en/news/2018/04/25/media-monitoring-website-says-traffic-to-telegram-channels-dropped-76-5-percent-after-russia-blocked-the-app“Russia is trying to block Telegram, but it's failing. Why?”https://meduza.io/en/cards/russia-is-trying-to-block-telegram-but-it-s-failing-whyIf you enjoy this podcast, consider pledging a little dough to help with sound recording, editing, and hosting costs:www.patreon.com/kevinrothrock Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/kevinrothrock)