Introduction

In Finland, there is a joke of some vintage that goes roughly like this: When God created the world, He took the angels on a tour of the Earth. The key, He assured the Heavenly Host, is balance. There are people with light skin and with dark skin. There are hot regions and cold ones. There are deserts and jungles. But this, He said proudly, pointing to the land that would one day become Finland, is My greatest creation in this world. Its people will be beautiful and wise. They will become great scientists and world peace makers. And the angels marveled at the perfection of this place until one, finding his courage, said, “But Lord, what about balance?” “Ahhh…” said the Lord pointing to Sweden and Russia, “you should see the idiots that I put on either side of them!”