Chasing The Wild Goose In Davos

Davos Hootenanny

Despite the reformers endless efforts to encircle mankind, some persist beyond the broad extent of the casted net. In the backwaters of the new Republic, for instance, the distant rumble and flicker of Saturday night hootenannies still befall yonder the mighty oak groves.

Poster announcing Davos hootenanny – few things are worse than a bunch of self-anointed world improvers.

In defiance of all things good and proper, the unconsecrated gather under the pale moonlight and jig step to zydeco washboard rhythms while downing tipples of corn syrup and fermented grain. These knees-ups certify that, even in this era of big government, there remain places in the lower forty-eight where freedom reigns.

Similarly, the backwoods of the old world, rare as they may be, have not been entirely defamed.Though old world songs are more rigid – and drinks more dry – there are still places where people come together with gusto, and without interference, to dance the polka around the maypole.

Across the planet, no doubt, there are still pockets of liberty where individuals can lawfully expel into toilet bowls that use more than 1.28 gallons per flush.These places are uniquely exceptional with their own distinct rhyme.But, in common, they’re all places where the air smells sweet, the water flows clean, and the people can hold their chin up.

Davos, Switzerland, located along Landwasser River, in the Swiss Alps, should be one of those places.But, alas, it is not.Sadly, for one week each year, corporate, political and academic reformers debase the wealthy enclave and ski resort for their annual hootenanny…the World Economic Forum.

Improving the State of the World

This week the big gathering went down. Although we didn’t receive an invitation this year – again – we won’t let that stop us from offering some reflections.

The World Economic Forum, you see, is a place where grave and weighty problems are considered. After all, the forum’s mission for over four decades has been, “improving the state of the world.” As far as we can tell, the great uplifters are working towards a losing proposition.