The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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The disillusionment of David Brooks

May 2, 2019

Guest

David Brooks

In this engaging discussion, David Brooks, a New York Times columnist and author of "The Second Mountain," shares his journey through personal turmoil and spiritual growth. He critiques the emptiness of meritocracy and argues for a life driven by community and connection over productivity. Brooks explores the transformative power of vulnerability and relationships while navigating the complexities of faith, politics, and capitalism. His reflections challenge societal values, emphasizing the importance of nurturing genuine connections and a more compassionate approach to fulfillment.

01:36:55

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ANECDOTE

The New Orleans Community Builder

David Brooks shares a story about a woman in New Orleans who was shot in the face by gang members.
She then dedicated her life to working with gangs and providing support to at-risk youth.

insights

INSIGHT

Critique of Meritocracy

Brooks criticizes the meritocracy, arguing that its focus on achievement and status is built on lies and leads to disconnection.
He emphasizes the importance of relationships and unconditional love over career success.

insights

INSIGHT

Capitalism's Moral Shortcomings

Brooks acknowledges that his book serves as a critique of capitalism, although he remains a supporter of it.
He argues that capitalism, without a countervailing ethos, is morally unfulfilling and needs to be balanced by other values.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

From Isolation to Connection

02:40 • 15min

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Critiquing Meritocracy and Societal Values

17:59 • 24min

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Exploring Transformative Live Performances and Their Impact

42:15 • 2min

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Shifting Identities: Faith, Politics, and Community

43:55 • 19min

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Journey of Faith and Reflection

01:03:15 • 13min

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The Aesthetics of Life: Navigating Superficial Experiences

01:16:33 • 2min

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Climbing the Two Mountains of Fulfillment

01:18:48 • 13min

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Exploring Influential Literature and Political Philosophy

01:32:00 • 2min

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The Intersection of Capitalism and Moral Philosophy

01:34:03 • 3min

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#116

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Leo Tolstoy

Published in 1878, 'Anna Karenina' is a novel by Leo Tolstoy that delves into the complexities of Russian society in the late 19th century. The story centers around the extramarital affair between Anna Karenina, a married socialite, and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky, which scandalizes the social circles of Saint Petersburg. The novel also follows the parallel story of Konstantin Levin, a wealthy landowner, and his struggles with marriage, faith, and managing his estate. Tolstoy explores a wide range of themes including love, loyalty, betrayal, hypocrisy, and the differences between rural and urban life. The novel is known for its detailed character development and its profound commentary on the human condition.

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Edmund Morris

This book is the first in a trilogy by Edmund Morris and details the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his birth in 1858 through to 1901. It includes his family history, his turbulent childhood illnesses, his education at Harvard, and his early involvement in politics. The biography explores Roosevelt's passion for learning, his various roles such as New York State Assemblyman, Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. It also covers his leadership of the Rough Riders in Cuba and his eventual rise to the Vice Presidency, setting the stage for his future as President of the United States.

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Reflections on the revolution in France

Edmund Burke

Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France" is a powerful critique of the French Revolution, arguing that it was based on abstract principles that ignored the complexities of human society and the importance of tradition. Burke's work is a classic statement of conservative political philosophy, emphasizing the importance of gradual change, respect for institutions, and the dangers of radicalism. The "Reflections" remains a relevant and insightful commentary on the challenges facing modern societies. Burke's emphasis on prudence, tradition, and the importance of preserving social order continues to resonate with conservatives today. The book is a cornerstone of conservative political thought.

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The Second Mountain

The Quest for a Moral Life

David Brooks

In 'The Second Mountain', David Brooks explores the concept of two mountains in life: the first mountain, which represents individual success and ego-driven achievements, and the second mountain, which symbolizes a life of deeper meaning, commitment, and contribution to a greater good. Brooks argues that our society's extreme individualism has torn the social fabric, and the path to repair is through making deeper commitments to a spouse and family, a vocation, a philosophy or faith, and a community. The book is both a personal reflection on Brooks' own life journey and a broader social commentary, offering practical advice and stories of people who have lived joyous, committed lives.

#377

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Seeing Like a State

How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed

James C. Scott

In this book, James C. Scott examines the failures of centrally managed social plans and the destructive consequences of high-modernist ideologies. Scott argues that states often impose simplistic visions on complex societies, ignoring local, practical knowledge and leading to disastrous outcomes. He identifies four conditions common to all planning disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society, high-modernist ideology, authoritarian state power, and a prostrate civil society. The book critiques various utopian projects, including collective farms, compulsory villagization, and urban planning, and advocates for a more nuanced approach that respects local diversity and practical knowledge.

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In 'The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus', Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg masterfully weaves together classical biblical, talmudic, and midrashic interpretations with literary allusions and insights. The book explores the interdependence of opposites in the Exodus narrative, offering a rich tapestry of meaning and interpretation. Zornberg's work is praised for its elegance, intelligence, and literary flair.

2013 was David Brooks’s worst year. “The realities that used to define my life fell away,” he says. His marriage ended. His children moved out. The conservative movement was undergoing the crack-up that would lead to Donald Trump, and to Brooks’s excommunication.

For Brooks, the past few years have been a radicalization. His new book, The Second Mountain, is an effort to work out a more service- and community-oriented definition of the good life. But on a deeper level, it’s a searing critique of meritocracy, of productivity, and, as I try to get him to admit in this podcast, of capitalism itself. But is Brooks really willing to embrace what that critique demands?

If you liked the “Work as identity, burnout as lifestyle” episode a few weeks back, you’ll love this one.

Book recommendations:

Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

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