Well, I don't know, I really don't know, some people managed to get an apartment (and not just oligarchs, some of my relatives too). I'm currently studying psychology at the institute; I doubt I could have done that in the USSR (psychology wasn't exactly banned, but it wasn't supported, let's just say that). The freedom of creativity sometimes results in nonsense like Factor 2 or Bla-Bla Show, but it also leads to the free publication of fantasy works, the performances of Zadornov, the programs of Solovyov, and computer games like Heroes of Might and Magic. Regarding The Lord of the Rings – The Hobbit and the first part of The Lord of the Rings were published, but the Silmarillion and the second and third parts weren't (they were made by enthusiasts through samizdat).