This Is the Week the World's Billionaires Gather in Davos and Pretend They're Saviors of the World

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/world/week-where-worlds-billionaires-gather-davos-and-pretend-theyrew-saviors-world

Masters of the Universe, vaguely real or totally fake, who want to play savior all flocked to Switzerland this week. In Montreux, one may "save" Syria at the very un-jazzy Geneva II charade, which I have dealt with here. In the interminable business meeting known as Davos, one has the possibility to save no less than the whole world.

In Davos, as an extra bonus, one may even play savior of Syria. A 75-minute simulation session is on offer, where global suits may experience how it feels to be a Syrian refugee. The menu includes detention, being chased by a replica gun-toting militia, and being shouted at by aid workers. Luckily for the attendees, it does not include a meeting with Bandar Bush-sponsored beheading jihadis. The insufferable Bono is rumored to be participating.

London mayor Boris Johnson, duly accredited as one of the 2,500 delegates at the World Economic Forum, alongside the "financial elite", "world leaders", corporate honchos, and sundry royalty (mostly Hollywoodish), has defined Davos as "a constellation of egos involved in massive mutual orgies of adulation".

Sessions avidly disputed by the ego constellation are routinely announced by cowbells ringing across the Congress Center. Each cowbell ringing until Saturday will be ultimately striking a tone matching the theme of the 2014 meeting; the quite modest "The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business". This "reshaping" is being brought to you by many of the people who caused (or profited from) the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

[BelgianMadCow]

1. Oxfam has totally discredited that whole lovefest

85 people owning as much as 3,5 billion others. Now watch their drive. Not. These people are about to become extinct. Dodo's.

I walked the streets for Oxfam. I'm proud.