The Guardian | US
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Naomi Klein: ‘Extreme wealth has a deranging effect. It turns you into a supremacist’
Naomi Klein, a renowned writer and activist known for her critiques of neoliberalism and the digital world, is now focusing on the influence of tech billionaires. Her latest book delves into how the super-rich exploit climate and financial instability to consolidate their power. The book opens with a poignant scene on a mountaintop at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos. Here, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are depicted sharing their vision for a utopian city called New Gaza. This "paradise city" is described as exclusive, prosperous, and secure, with one of the men visibly moved by its beauty. Klein clarifies that this opening is not metaphorical but a direct commentary on contemporary events. The annual Davos gathering traditionally serves a dual purpose: enabling the wealthy to showcase their philanthropic efforts and offering a glimpse into their opulent lifestyles. However, Klein observes a stark shift at this year's forum. She notes that the world's wealthiest individuals overtly discussed real estate opportunities arising from a mass grave, highlighting a disturbing embrace of capitalizing on catastrophe. This brazen display underscores a disquieting trend where immense wealth is leveraged for power in the face of global crises. Klein's work aims to expose these practices and their implications for society.