Davos Newbies

The event that changed the US

Paul Krugman has a characteristically heterodox viewpoint: “I predict that in the years ahead Enron, not Sept. 11, will come to be seen as the greater turning point in U.S. society… There have been other big, admired companies that failed; there have been other companies that turned out to be largely fraudulent. But I can’t think of another case in which the most admired company turned out to be a fraud.”

 It will be particularly interesting in the coming days to see how Enron plays at Davos in NY. Ken Lay was a Davos stalwart: regular plenary speaker, sought-after moderator, member of the Foundation Board. He’s not coming (obviously), but I wonder how many people in the Davos crowd will have the courage to confront the many spectres at the feast.

No thanks

If you want to read in one convenient place why I’m uneasy about the
concept of Davos in New York, read Alex
Kuczynski’s New York Times article on the parties planned during the
Forum.

“Elton John is providing the entertainment for a party at the Four
Seasons. Le Cirque? Booked solid.” Oy.

Sunday night black hole

I was hardly encouraged to read Charles McLean, the Forum’s
communications director, quoted in The New York Times about the Sunday
evening programme. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to
counterprogram against the Super Bowl. Sunday evening is for private
events.”

It so happens that Sunday evening is my one formal commitment on the
programme: moderating a discussion over dinner on “The power of
architecture”. It’s part of my profession of utility infielder – in the
Davos context – that I’m thrown into moderating roles that no one else
seems to fit (it so happens, as well, that ages ago I edited an
architecture and design magazine).

After worrying last year that no one would come to the session I
moderated which ran against a plenary with Bill Gates (we were pretty
full), I’m not unduly concerned about Sunday evening. After all, for the
majority of participants in Davos in New York, the clash of two American
football teams is a momentary curiosity, hardly ranking with the sweet
anticipation of this summer’s World Cup.