Comments on: the absurdities of Davos

By: William Dowell

William Dowell — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:16:47 +0000

This is an interesting take on Davos, and , in fact, a pretty good advertisement. The fact that executives suddenly realize that they are not fully aware of their position in the social structure is the kind of epiphany that is likely to make them more sensitive in the future. At least it gives them the inkling of an opportunity not to become totally lost, or as the CEO of Campbell Soups once put it, “not to suck in one’s own exhaust fumes.” Davos is, I think, a creative environment in which the real learning process comes from contact with one’s peers, if not in the business world, at least in the human race. This is, of course, the creative model of the future. Klaus Schwab had originally wanted to use the forum to introduce American ideas to European business, but he soon realized that what European businessmen really craved was social interaction. They realized that money and power did not connect them to the creative power of artists, writers and thinkers, which is what life is really about. We remember our writers and poets. We forget our CEOs. So Davos became a giant source of connections. My sense at this year’s conference was that there is a certain injustice that the conference is so select. You have, perhaps, 3,000 people, chosen from among the most brilliant in the world, and they receive this sudden charge of creative energy from each other–a kind of creative plasma. They leave with a definite advantage, which makes the gap between them and the isolated poor even greater. The real question is: once we have this gift of insight, and the power that comes with it, what do we do with it? How do we use it?

By: Susaw

Susaw — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:51:22 +0000

Enjoyed your observations – and as to why you were there, you have a lot to offer. A lot to share. The bottom line for business leaders is profit – for those of us not in business, it’s our role to help encourage them to share the wealth. and speaking of wealth, get this: my “handbag” was lost or stolen at Zurich airport. Perhaps the intense security in Davos put my normal citysmarts to rest. No matter, my docs and wallet were not in the purse. I do hope that whomever found/took the loot was able to feed their family a yummy meal. Keep up the great work and please don’t tire from chatting to parents about their kids – otherwise, you’ll seem as false as some of the people you describe above.

By: roy

roy — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:06:40 +0000

many powerful people desperately want to help solve these problems but they seem unaware of their role in perpetuating some of the ills…

I think that most of them see their roles as very limited. First of all they are looking out for their own best interest as far as money and/or power are concerned. To the extent that they realize that their own self interest is served by helping to address these problems, then they are likely to act. However, if working to address these problems has only an indirect effect, or no measurable effect, or a negative effect on them then taking such an action would be completely out of character.

It is the rare enlightened CEO who decides to do anything that makes his product or service less competitive even when it is the right thing to do.

By: Bertil

Bertil — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:13:16 +0000

Le Blase: I was only trying to take the point of view of a the manager of an international company. Others do care; others are hardly invited at Davos.

Danah, I do hope you can come back to Swiss away from all that Bonefire of Vanity.

By: leblase

leblase — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:21:57 +0000

I’m afraid business people are not the only well-wishing unaware people roaming around the globe: Tex describes it simply.
The differences are between the impact a decision from a leader can have, and the behaviour of the crowd.
But we’re all self-righteous, aren’t we?

@Bertil: I enjoyed your first paragraph

By: Bertil

Bertil — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:03:58 +0000

Great post, happy to have you back.

Regarding the impact of US politics, I believe it’s even greater then that: most people around me know everything about the Democratic caucuses, including details like Florida, race/sex/age vote breakdown, etc. Among the very same, many can’t give the name or the full title of most ministers in our own government, or the political concerns, head of state and election pattern of the neighbouring countries.

There are many reasons why Obama has the lead, but two feel obvious to me:
First, he understands Arabic and Islam: business people know how essential this is – at least, he seems. Second, he is the only candidate to mention US image abroad. More generally, the candidate the most on the left is often preferred abroad: laissez-faire tax rates & heavy-handed interventionism doesn’t seem so popular far from home.

By: orcmid

orcmid — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:41:25 +0000

Fascinating. I knew you were there (from Scoble’s photos) and I did not stop to think what the occasion might be and what the experience would be (just as I don’t imagine myself there).

That people in businesses don’t recognize the externalities of their conduct (often described as features, such as starbucks switching from paper bags for beans to environmentally-frightful plastic bags) is not surprising. I think your sense of looking inward rather than outward is right on.

Thank you for the report. At the end, I was overcome by an intense sadness. I don’t know what that is about.

By: Sarah Bluehouse

Sarah Bluehouse — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:57:47 +0000

> What I found was that many powerful people desperately want to help solve these problems but they seem unaware of their role in perpetuating some of the ills. It was weird… I couldn’t tell if such folks were clueless or delusional.

It seems that’s the subject of the post.

People really get kinda upset when I present folks with a Higher power variety of determinism. (Its not god that determines… its these people… the people “upstairs”)

And when I took my MBA-styled communication class, I was amazed at how much folks were not aware — but still good intended. They truely believed that capitalism will save us all, and feed the 3rd world. They didn’t want to face the idea that all the “good things” they’ve been doing … writing checks like indulgences, subsidizing education when a community needs farming, Supporting the WTO because money is always good, right?

I think if this message ever did sink in, If people actually realized their parts, there may be a rash of suicides almost upper echelons — the the actual upper echelons, are, too used to it. And it will take an apocalypse to enact change. (Unless you have a multi-generational view of time — which is not a very western/capitalist kind of thing)

By: joe

joe — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:10:38 +0000

can we get a short post sometime?

By: hollie

hollie — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:59:51 +0000

wow, Yo-Yo Ma!!!! He is such a great advocate of music education, and does a lot to further that cause. I would LOVE to get a chance to sit with him at a dinner! So jealous!!!!!