In fact, Davos is less a barometer that helps us to understand the deep trends that are shaping the world than a mirror that reflects trendy ideas, worries, and perhaps gossip. From formal debates and informal schmoozing with fellow members of the Davos crowd, one gets a sense of who the American establishment favors to win the next presidential election (Hillary Clinton), predictions for the upcoming referendum in Ireland on the European “simplified” treaty (it will be very close), and French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s international image (not good).
事实上。与其说达沃斯是帮助我们理解世界深层趋势的晴雨表，倒不如说它是反映流行的思想、担忧还有也许流言的一面镜子。通过与聚集在达沃斯的与会代表的正式辩论或非正式的闲谈中，人们会了解到美国的领导核心人物认为谁将赢得先一届总统大选（希拉里·克林顿）、对爱尔兰即将举行的有关欧盟“简化”了的条约的公投表决的预测（正反两方的得票率会很接近）以及法国总统萨科齐的国际形象（不太好）。