A Great Reset? Yes, Certainly!

But not the Davos approach, please.

Before you decide to unsubscribe, please give me a moment to explain.

It's consistently uncomfortable when a seemingly far-fetched conspiracy theory turns out to have some validity. Consider the notion that COVID-19 originated from a Chinese laboratory—three years ago, experts dismissed this as absurd, but it has since emerged as a plausible explanation.

In light of this, perhaps people should adopt a more open-minded approach to other conspiracy theories, especially those surrounding the “Great Reset.” On one level, the Great Reset doesn't fit the typical conspiracy mold, as it isn't shrouded in secrecy. Instead, it represents a very public initiative led by the World Economic Forum, commonly referred to as “Davos,” which is the well-known venue for its exclusive annual conference.

In 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) introduced the Great Reset as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They declared, “To enhance the state of the world, the World Economic Forum is launching The Great Reset initiative.”

In essence, it represented an urgent effort to maintain relevance in the midst of a global catastrophe that years of Davos-style predictions had “failed to prevent.” Nevertheless, after careful consideration, the various proponents of the Great Reset, including WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab, evidently believe that the world requires more of what Davos symbolizes. Sure.

Schwab, for instance, viewed the pandemic as “a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world to create a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous future.” Similar sentiments have been echoed by politicians like Justin Trudeau, who have also characterized the pandemic as an opportunity, which has fueled suspicions among vast swaths of people.

Could we be onto something? Is the vision outlined by the WEF in 2020 now translating into a program of intervention by major government and corporate entities? Yes.

Even the most alarming conspiracy theories contain a kernel of truth. In essence, a conspiracy theory often represents a shared nightmare. While the theory itself may—in its extreme forms—sometimes lack coherence, the anxieties and insecurities fueling it are frequently very real. In other words, an open mind doesn’t need to believe in a conspiracy theory to acknowledge its significance.

Consider the news that investment firms are aggressively entering the property market, acquiring large volumes of housing for rental purposes. How is the typical aspiring homeowner supposed to react to this development? What chance do they stand against corporations armed with billions of dollars, privileged access to market information, and substantial political influence?

In such a situation, how would you react to the World Economic Forum video that begins with the statement that, by 2030, “You'll own nothing. And you'll be happy”? This was presented as a potential scenario, not a stated objective of the WEF, but the optics are undeniably concerning. The fact that someone sat down and came up with this catchphrase, is problematic enough. The situation is not helped by the fact that one of the institutional investors heavily involved in the housing market is BlackRock, whose CEO, Larry Fink, is a prominent participant in the WEF.

For someone facing the prospect of renting a small apartment well into middle age and beyond, this is what the Great Reset appears to entail.

Ironically, when Klaus Schwab asserts that “we need a 'Great Reset' of capitalism,” he is absolutely correct. However, this need doesn't primarily stem from the pandemic but rather from the fact that the system was already in a state of decline. Throughout the 21st century, capitalism has experienced a series of staged crises to keep the system built on enormous debt up and running, and it's essential to remember who has been in charge during this period—not Herr Schwab himself, but the political and business leaders who attend his annual gathering.

If we genuinely require a new form of capitalism, the last individuals we should turn to for its overhaul are the creators of the current system. Why, indeed, would we entrust the task of reform to those who have amassed immense wealth and influence through the existing status quo?

The Great Reset may be marketed like a fresh commitment to substantial change, but at Davos, the only thing that appears to change are the components of each year's convoluted discourse. Consider a review of the themes from the annual conferences dating back to 1988: In 1991, the theme was “a new direction for global leadership”; in 1994, it was “redefining the fundamental assumptions of the world economy,” and in 1997, it was “building the network society.” By 2007, the focus was on “shaping the global agenda” and “altering the power dynamics.” In 2009, the objective was “shaping the post-crisis world.” In 2012, Davos continued to “shape” things, this time focusing on “new models” for something known as “the great transformation.” In 2014, it was all about “reshaping the world,” and in 2019, the theme was "shaping a global architecture" (whatever that entails).

When they're not busy “shaping” and “reshaping,” Davos is all about “rallying,” “redefining,” “creating,” “sustaining,” and “mastering.” Moreover, these endeavors always seem to be on an inconceivably grand scale: “the world economy,” “our global future,” the “post-crisis world,” the “new reality,” and, my personal favorite, “responsible globality.”

Much like the dumbest Bond villain, “Davos Man” perpetually strives to reshape the world according to his own vision. However, this endeavor consistently falls short of achieving a genuine “reset.” Instead, our stagnant form of capitalism persists, making only the minimum necessary adjustments following each staged crisis in order to keep the ship afloat amass more control and wealth.

As I mentioned earlier, the Great Reset isn't truly a conspiracy. Everything is plainly evident, transparent, and available for everyone to see. What adds a sinister aspect to it is its presentation, which is designed to be appealing. Nevertheless, if there's any notion of a conspiracy, it revolves around the idea that Davos Man is working to improve the world for you. In reality, he isn't. He never has, and he never will.

The Great Reset is shrewdly marketed to avoid appearing perilous to those leading lives in their bubbles. It creates the illusion that the establishment has finally recognized and taken earnest measures to address pressing issues, promising solutions to all their problems. The grim reality of the Great Reset, though, reveals that there is no great reset; instead, it introduces more surveillance, greater encroachments on personal freedoms, increased control, and heightened distress for everyone—all build on the foundations of what is already there. What Davos truly resets are the minds of those who turn to their masters in despair, hoping for liberation and assistance within a system they themselves have crafted. If anything, it should be dubbed "The Great Encroachment”—if this is a conspiracy, then we live in one since Ancient Rome.

The true power to shape this world has always lain in your hands. Choose well!

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