29 January 2002

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. 3:54:58 PM

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. 3:33:33 PM

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. 3:17:13 PM

© Copyright 2002 Lance Knobel.