How to Visit Davos
Observations from a 2023 visit to the World Economic Forum's conference in Davos, and the ongoing transformation of elite power structures.
Arriving in Davos is no simple feat. This charming village lacks a major airport, making access somewhat exclusive. One might arrive by helicopter, a privilege reserved for individuals like the President of the United States or the CEO of Nestlé. Otherwise, Davos remains a remote gem, that takes you quite a while to reach by car.
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In 2023, I found myself in this secluded haven. The theme that year was “Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” My presence there wasn’t due to immense wealth, power, or influence. Instead, I had managed to secure a press pass – not entirely by honest means. It turns out that a background in intelligence work does have its perks, especially when it comes to forging valuable connections.
My girlfriend and me, fresh off the plane from California, overslept and missed what was supposedly a ‘wonderful’ opening sermon by Klaus Schwab at Davos. But really, who are we kidding? Do the elites attending Davos truly crave to watch dancers and hear opera sung in Hindi? This is likely the height of globalist culture — a superficial nod to diversity, nothing more than a ticked box on their checklist of performative wokeness.
That noon, we briskly navigated the treacherous sidewalks in search for something to eat, fully aware of the perilous ice hidden beneath the snow – a hazard blatantly ignored by the locals. It’s almost a spectacle at Davos to witness the high-profile attendees – central bank governors, IMF executives, and other distinguished figures – adorned in cashmere and calfskin, occasionally taking an undignified tumble on the slippery streets.
The weather was quintessential Alpine winter – a gentle snowfall, biting cold, but the air was refreshingly crisp and dry, sparking our vitality. As we walked, we engaged in the typical Davos pastime: scrutinizing passersby, speculating on their identity and significance. In Davos, after all, anonymity is rare.
The ritual of identity-guessing is facilitated by the mandatory badges worn by all attendees. These badges, essential for security clearances and session registrations, conspicuously display one's name, affiliation, and photograph. Most participants wear them visibly to avoid the hassle at checkpoints. This practice excludes only the elite of the elite – the Bill Clintons and Bill Gates’ of the world, whose faces need no introduction.
This act of badge-scanning has become so ingrained in the Davos culture it's practically a dance – the 'Davos dip': a subtle, choreographed move involving a slight knee bend and a quick downward glance to size up and assess each passerby's stature in this elite gathering.
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