We live in a moment of change, confusion, some say collapse.

The post-Cold War era is probably coming to an end.

It's been a good run. it's been about 35 years.

Somebody on the left who made their name during precisely that period is today's guest.

They have held the flame high when it comes to being a communist in much of the media when it wasn't particularly fashionable.

They themselves come from Central Europe. They have

firsthand knowledge and experience of living under actually existing socialism. So I think

they're probably going to have really good instincts, ideas, observations about the world

we're now moving into one of multipolarity, the demise of the West, rising

automation, rising inequality, political turbulence. I can think of actually few people who are

better than today's guest to talk about where we are in the world in 2025. It's going to be a

fabulous conversation. Slavo Izzyek, welcome to Downstream.

Thanks very much. Although I prefer upstream. It sounds reactionary already the place. Okay,

let's go on. Happy birthday, by the way. Thanks, but why are you doing this? Because a week ago,

I was 76. And to repeat my old joke, do you know that,

you know the vulgar expression, I will not spell it out, milf? Yeah. Now I found this in a TV

series that in America there is an expression gilf, which means grandfather,

I would like to. F. So my point is that till you are 75, if you are stupid enough,

you can still dream that maybe for some women I am a gilf.

After 75, you no longer exist as this.

So could you give me one good reason why I should celebrate this?

So you don't think after, you think it's 76, you're no longer an object of desire for?

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