Most impostors are to be found in politics and the financial sector, author Daniel Levin says in an interview with finews.asia. The more power there is at stake, the greater the «rewards».
Daniel Levin, in your new book you describe a world of charlatans and impostors. What prompted you to examine this theme?
For me it was to describe the various aspects of my experience with the subject of power. It includes manipulation. As an author, you have two options: either you present yourself as a hero, capable of manipulating anyone like a puppet; or you are more honest and describe how you are being manipulated yourself. I chose the second option.
Are there areas where manipulators are more likely to operate?
The more power there is at stake, the greater the «rewards». Basically, most impostors are to be found in politics and the financial industry. There are a lot of false friendships, which are quickly cast aside when the aims can no longer be met.
Although your book focuses on serious issues, it does have an amusing undertone. A deliberate tactic?
I am no preacher and don’t like moralizing. Many experiences can only be digested properly when you are able to laugh about them at the end of the day.
«Africa always meant a lot to me»
Of course it isn’t easy when you're mistaken. But you shouldn’t become embittered and cynical. If you tried to avoid taking any risks, you wouldn't get the pleasant experiences either.
What differentiates the charlatans of this world culturally?
Corruption exists in almost every country of the world. This is just as true for people who seek power. What is most painful is when these experiences are inefficient. I often am in the Arab world due to my activities. There it can take years before you gain some people’s confidence.
Fundamentally, you have to like a particular region and its culture. Personally, Africa has always meant a lot to me, although I have had bad experiences there too, as I describe in my book. China on the other hand poses very different challenges. All this is of great interest to me.
In Asia everyone nods, but they mean something else, right?
Saying yes and then nodding is a universal principle. Most people don’t have the courage to say no – even in the U.S., where one expects a fairly direct and open way of communication.
«Actually, for a long time I didn’t know where I would live later»
In Washington for instance no-one in politics would say they weren’t really interested in you. You have to perceive the subtle signs of the time – like when some people never return your calls, or when you can only ever reach their secretaries on the phone. Essentially people are the same all over the world.
You spent your youth and educational years in Switzerland. What do you still remember from those times?
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