DAVOS, SWITZERLAND—The annual gathering of the global elite at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos has once again proven itself to be the perfect microcosm of everything that's wrong with the world. This year, in a move that surprised absolutely no one with a functioning prefrontal cortex, concerns about climate change, famine, and geopolitical instability were quietly swept under the rug to make room for… well, what else? A bigger, shinier distraction. Namely, Artificial Intelligence and the hollow promises of wealth it vomits forth. And, of course, the ever-reliable spectacle of Donald Trump’s ego.

The message is clear: why bother addressing the agonizing decline of the planet when you can chase the fleeting high of technological ‘innovation’ that will likely exacerbate existing inequalities? Why grapple with the complex, messy realities of human suffering when you can mine crypto for a man who embodies the very essence of unbridled greed?

Let's not pretend this is about progress. It's about profit, pure and simple. The Davos crowd, those paragons of virtue signaling, have once again revealed their true priorities. The collective delusion that technology will magically solve all our problems, without requiring any fundamental changes to the exploitative systems that created those problems in the first place, is alive and well. And it's being fueled by the same old cocktail of unchecked capitalism and willful ignorance.

Consider the psychological profile of your average Davos attendee. We're talking about individuals who have ascended to the apex of the global hierarchy, accumulating obscene amounts of wealth and power along the way. They are, almost by definition, deeply invested in maintaining the status quo. To acknowledge the severity of the climate crisis, or the structural roots of global poverty, would be to call into question the very foundations of their own success. And narcissists simply can't allow that to happen.

So, instead, they flock to Davos to pat each other on the back, congratulate themselves on their 'achievements,' and indulge in the fantasy that they are somehow making the world a better place, all while actively contributing to its downfall. The self-deception is breathtaking in its scope. It's a masterclass in cognitive dissonance, a testament to the human capacity for rationalizing even the most egregious acts of self-interest.

And then there's Trump, the orange-hued elephant in the room. His continued presence in these circles, despite (or perhaps because of) his blatant disregard for basic decency and his proudly displayed ignorance, speaks volumes about the true nature of the Davos elite. They may feign concern for democracy and human rights, but at the end of the day, they are drawn to power, regardless of its source or its moral implications. Trump is a symbol of that power, a walking, talking embodiment of the triumph of money and ego over everything else. He is their kindred spirit.

The WEF's obsession with A.I. is equally revealing. Here is a technology that holds immense potential for both good and evil, a tool that could be used to alleviate suffering or to further entrench existing inequalities. But given the track record of the Davos crowd, it's safe to assume that they will opt for the latter. They will harness A.I. to automate jobs, consolidate wealth, and create ever-more sophisticated mechanisms of control. They will use it to justify their own privilege and to perpetuate the myth that they are somehow indispensable to the functioning of society.

So, let the delegates bask in the glow of their computer screens and their delusions of grandeur. Let them continue to believe that they are the masters of the universe, while the planet burns and the masses suffer. The rest of us, meanwhile, can only watch in weary resignation as the world marches ever closer to the abyss, guided by the invisible hand of greed and the unshakeable conviction of the powerful that they know best. And they never, ever do.