David Brooks on the Road to Character

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Filmed at the Royal Geographical Society on 26th May 2015.
New York Times columnist David Brooks is one of the leading public intellectuals of our times. His book 'The Social Animal', a study of the unconscious mind and the triggers that drive human behaviour, was one of the most talked about publications of 2011. David Cameron instructed all the members of his Cabinet to read it.
On May 26th, Brooks came to the Intelligence Squared stage to share the insights of his latest book, 'The Road to Character'. Brooks argued that today’s ‘Big Me’ culture is making us increasingly self-preoccupied: we live in a world where we’re taught to be assertive, to master skills, to broadcast our brand, to get likes, to get followers. But amidst all the noise of self-promotion, Brooks claimed that we’ve lost sight of an important and counterintuitive truth: that in order to fulfil ourselves we need to learn how to forget ourselves.
To make his case, Brooks distinguished two sorts of virtues: resumé virtues and eulogy virtues. Resumé virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace: wealth, fame, status and a great career. Eulogy virtues are the things people will say about you at your funeral: that you were honest, loving, and steadfast. Most of us would say that eulogy virtues are more important, but it’s the resumé virtues we tend to think about the most.
By interweaving politics, spirituality and psychology, and citing examples from some of history’s greatest thinkers and leaders - St. Augustine, Dwight Eisenhower and Samuel Johnson - Brooks showed that by cultivating the eulogy virtues we can create depth of character and restore balance to our lives.

[@richardorlando4331]

This David Brooks is not the one I'm used to on PBS Nightly News who gives a brief summary of the week's political events each Friday night. Here he has an unexpected sense of humor, explains much deeper thoughts, and appears to be a man on a mission to encourage our better angels, which he does here with genuine humility and affection. Thank you David!

[@lizstilwell7329]

He has the wisdom to adapt to his audience, wonderful author & speaker 💚🙏

[@debbiemetke5938]

You have really been growing on me, David Brooks. What a deep, sincere man.

[@auntiesocial808]

He dumped his wife for his 30 year old assistant, yep he's very sincere and thoughtful.

[@anab0lic]

@@auntiesocial808 Do you know the full story and his reasoning behind that decision? If not then you really arnt in a position to judge those actions.

[@gb4375]

Auntie Social I don’t believe that’s a measure of sincerity.

[@dnaphysics]

@@auntiesocial808 A careful reading of that situation strongly suggests he didn’t dump his wife.

[@maryann7619]

@@dnaphysics Regardless, his 2nd wife is 25 years younger. He was 50 when she was 25 and working for him. That's just creepy.

[@brazzilcitizen]

I thank our almighty God on a daily basis to be in existence in such a fabulous era like this one we´ve bee in...and being offered such a marvelous opportunity of using this marvelous youtube gate, where we are presented to a genious person such as David Brooks, I can´t say thnak enough to you all and David for sharing with us so much super power learning for our inner lives...Vanilson from Curitiba South of Brazil. Simply amazing !!!

[@1figfig]

David Brooks is an old fashioned gentleman scholar his conservatism lies there. His liberal ideas lie in his love and ability for communication. I like his call to moral ethics and fight against the selfishness of this age. Brooks is journalist with the heart of a poet,

[@gregorykleciak3402]

He left his wife for his much younger research assistant, but sure! He's a class act!

[@mackenzietaylor4684]

One of the best books I have ever read.

[@ashirahelat4749]

Connections make our lives meaningful

[@gooddaysahead1]

I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. This man is teaching the Beatitudes.

[@CliveNDerek]

There's certainly a lot of the Book of Matthew here.

[@gooddaysahead1]

@@CliveNDerek But the theme(s) of the Beatitudes appear to run throughout the Synoptic Gospels.

[@shabirmagami146]

brilliant talk.....thank you💌💌

[@brazzilcitizen]

I can´t get enough of this brilliant talking of David Brook. I have learned a lot with his ideas. Thanks a million for sharing this substancial teaching material. Nilson from south of Brazil.

[@traceybyrne1690]

David Brooks you are as authentic as authenticity itself l deeply thank you for generous, risky and politically incorrect honesty. Congratulations on your well rounded human being-ness

[@Logiconfire]

I would be nice to hear what his former wife thinks of his character.

[@gb4375]

Eric Ebling are you willing to be judged similarly? I understand what you are trying to say. As an ex wife who was dumped, I have no desire to spend time judging my ex husband’s character. It’s not my responsibility. We all have responsibility only for our own character.

[@1shadowfx]

Thank you, David.

[@philliprowe9473]

After admitting of the existence of a moral landscape (thanks sam harris) Mr Brooks makes me happy.

[@LarryCaldera]

I didn't go right or left when I listened, just appreciated his insights and prospective!

[@nefertariwhite]

thank you ...this is the only way we will be able to unify

[@wiymmf]

Sums up my thoughts as well. I disagree with his somewhat whimsical framing of religion, however, I do admire the overall substance of his arguments.

[@katdunn1669]

P

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Seriously...who cares???

[@DJK-cq2uy]

​@wiymmf who the hell cares what u agree with or not? Seriously

[@CrystalSauceOnEverything]

amazing talk

[@basilkhan4397]

What a fabulously frames and encompassing introduction- impressed, inspired.

[@sandramontagnat6441]

Mark Shields is my favourite but I have new found respect for David Brooks.

[@springinfialta106]

For David Brooks it's intelligence square-rooted.

[@robertholland8283]

Interesting conversation.

[@franklinfalco9069]

David Brooks is the last real conservative in america.

[@elizabethfreer1948]

Mr David Brooks is critized for his “uppiteness” but look around..he is reaching deep to all of us..soul searching can be “humbling” ..in the words of Roman Keating’s song...”sometimes a man cant’t see when he has it all oh how the mighty fall”

[@maramkraida1481]

Am reading the book right now, still in the first pages.

[@mickadatwist1620]

great content! at age of almost 40 resonates strongly with me, so im not alone

[@annaveleva4844]

Next great thing for Tony Robins can be a book summarizing all his smart ideas and positive encouragement! Amazing guy!

[@cynthiamadrid1430]

Through trials... Yes he will have a perspective.

[@robertholland8283]

#AndIQuote From a perspective of obedience.

[@MrReynardMULDRAKE]

made an impact

[@robertholland8283]

#AndIQuote People was taught to trust their desires.

[@robertholland8283]

#AndIQuote Pride blinds you to your own weaknesses.

[@Belzedar]

For almost half of all Americans, modesty may not be their best quality. A new study (2021) finds nearly one in two people believe they’re the best person they know.The survey was conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Behold Retreats, a wellness company.

[@francesjecmaloney8977]

Might it be that we move over, to let newbies have space to learn humility, etc. ?

[@imovertheocean]

capitalism necessitates focus on resumé virtues and actively gets in the way of eulogy virtues

[@robertholland8283]

resumé virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace.

[@robertholland8283]

#AndIQuote We wouldn't call them deep unless they have a calling and vocation.

[@gemeinschaftsgeful]

When leadership gets really immoral with conservative leadership, there always seems to be a spokesman from their camp to sooth the citizens worries. Remember William Bennett and his campaign with his children's book of virtues? It was directed to the adults to calm their consciences for voting in such immoral individuals. It was to avert the voters Mea Culpa and usher in a See This Is Who We Are. ie the guardians of the Nation's morals.

[@francesjecmaloney8977]

How is applause spelled!

[@clydecessna737]

A sin is different from a short coming because it is an assault not just against the self or one's neighbor but to the community; to the world, to humanity perhaps best expressed by Ludwig von Feuerbach as an externalized concept....God.

[@afaqshah3232]

Applebee’s salad-bar

[@MrMurph73]

David Brooks frustrates me. He has important, wonderful things to say, but his delivery leaves a lot to be desired. If he had better oratorial skills, he'd be unstoppable.

[@MaGuFer]

I fully agree, Andrew. Such great words and concepts should be announced slowly!

[@melaniefan3915]

I’m a democrat who loves David Brooks, but I appreciate your thoughtful response.👍

[@stevenjackson7340]

The obese eagle apically drag because aunt dolly brake amidst a half rose. ubiquitous, infamous adjustment

[@telescopicS627]

EXCUSE ME, SIR! SIR! Your child, the one you helped raise, is causing a ruckus in the store, screaming and knocking over aisles. I'd appreciate it if you stop making excuses and discipline your child. Brooks: "Just ignore him while I lecture you about character."

[@SteveTheFazeman]

David Brooks is out of touch in today's political climate under President Trump. This has been evident with Shields and Brooks on PBS. Both are like peas in a pod. Brooks is mostly like minded with Shields in disseminating political issues. In other words, Brooks is so confounded by Trump that he leaves little to nothing in a point/counterpoint process. But, when another pundit is filling in for David Brooks, you better believe Mark Shields is back on his heels defending his side of the issues. PBS would do well to replace Brooks with a pundit who has backbone because frankly, Brooks looks like a deer in the headlights ever since Trump was elected President.

[@hoefler69]

This man based his vote for president on the "Crease of a Pant." WTF does he know about character?

[@auntiesocial808]

Is douche bag one word or two?

[@nicholasjochems3895]

surely more than a moron on the internet

[@jerryware1970]

Russia. Russia. Russia.

[@benschneider4830]

David Brooks is an utter joke. He lectures the masses about "character", but I can't see that he lives that out in his own life. He left his wife of 27 years for his much younger research assistant, who he probably was having an affair with. He makes fantastic amounts of money bloviating at high-paid speaking gigs, and gives only a small amount of that to charity. In terms of his "intellectual" output, he just regurgitates inane tidbits and anecdotes, like the Tumblr page of someone deciding on a tattoo to get during a midlife crisis.

[@lynnpallais4132]

Interesting, DB has no character himself, whiney, sniveling, lying supporter of DJT