With the recent market gloom, it's no surprise to hear that the mood in Davos was a bit sombre this year. But no, Adrian, I can't imagine that the modesty of Davos is a coincidence, after all it's Switzerland: remember Calvin? I hear his thoughts on frugality and capitalism has had quite a major impact on Swiss mentality ... in fact, it's not so dissimilar to what you find in Norway (at least with the older guard), or any country where protestantism has had a major foothold....
Picture by Jean-Bernard Sieber (via Sambrook)
Interesting link between Calvin, Switzerland, and Norway. Calvinism is thought to have had a tremendous impact on Scotland and its people and on New England.
Posted by: Candadai Tirumalai | January 31, 2008 at 05:18 PM
I failed to mention my favourite bit about Switzerland - a Swiss friend pointed out her local online newspaper had a story about a neighbour falling over on the pavement outside her house. She wasn't badly hurt. Depending on your view, either so hyperlocal it hurts...or the world's dullest news market.
Posted by: Adrian Monck | February 04, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Adrian: ha, ha... I'm not sure about dullest. I feel like suing the city council every morning when I head to work and the roads resemble an ice rank, making me fear for my life and health... I might read that story and symphatise:-)
Candadai: Interesting indeed, though in Norway the main protestant influence is Luther...
Posted by: Kristine | February 05, 2008 at 09:04 PM