David is one of my favorites. One of the greatest thinkers of our time. A true conservative in the best way.

On the subject of diversity, i think people need to start with admitting or accepting that it is harder and takes effort. For years now people have been gaslit into the idea it makes no different or been pressured into not talking about things like that at all.

David’s story after 51:00 is one of exercising community. In community we are at our best. I thank M. Scott Peck for teaching me this lesson.

The speaker is inspiring. To me, the root of negative feelings is the decline in moral standard across the globe.

If people used these statistic to reorient how are society functions and try to actually solve these things. And discuss them openly with the public so they can be informed. And contribute to solving these things.

Wow, just wow. I have listened to David on PBS in short snippets. This is another level.

This gentleman’s work is fundamentally the most important that I think there is for this new age of technology and social decline. If we only listened to him more and problem solved accordingly we could really change the culture and politics for the better.

The "red cross" you referred to is in fact the "Cross of St George" which is the historic flag of England before 1704 ..

being into your phone on the train feels safer than talking to a real person. Risk free. By avoiding risk we are inviting isolation, loneliness, depression and enhancing fear of other. Just my experience.

I like the stat about those who get laid off. I’ve been laid off twice, and felt in both cases it was unfair. The first time, while I was popular with much of the staff, I realize it was because I didn’t exercise enough empathy for those with authority over me. The second time, while I was very popular with the staff, I realize it was because I didn’t exercise enough empathy for those with authority over me. Thank you for helping me see.

The greatest trait of human beings is to “love your neighbor as yourself”, including your enemy. It’s that simple.

I enjoyed watching this a lot. And I have not been a fan of David's past PBS Newshour appearances when he was a "Trump apologist" (saying "That's just Trump being Trump" back in the day). I can tell he know knows Trump is part of an existential threat to democracy (showing he is capable of learning new things)... and I really appreciate all he says here about the root causes of the crisis we are in here in America.

Beautiful and profound, thanks

Why is it happening? Easy. Wealth = power. And power ensures further wealth. Noble, all-inclusive, "democratic" ideals continually fall by the wayside due to the specious rationalizations of oligarchs. Greed, is the underlying "Achilles heel" of the human species. As it has often been pointed out throughout global literature,"greed is blind". We, the human species, are dying from our own myopia.

By David's definition, I'm an educated elite. I spent 10 years in college to get a Ph.D. in physics but I've never owned a home and have suffered lots of unemployment. I patched things together and made it to retirement but I don't feel like I did better than my parents.

This may be the densest, smartest, wisest video I have ever watched. It made me cry at this deep and circumspect wisdom that could not be more relevant. We need more of this.

Lovely ! Thank you so much

I enjoyed this, very much.

I always appreciate your humility and compassion along with your BRILLIANT intellect.

Great talk, a valuable perspective, thank you. Adolescence is often a tumultuous transitional phase of development, not that it is unbound, but rather boundaries are redefined. I suggest that starting with Copernicus, humanity is in its adolescence. Things may be awkward around the world, but I am optimistic we will blossom into a species we can be proud of. Onwards & forwards.

There's a church in your neighborhood that would love to have you visit. People need to be brave about finding spiritual meaning.

Follow the money. The bottom 90-99% have lost purchasing power and wealth for forty years. I believe that drives all the other symptoms.

One of the main problems is that people have made government their God. We want government to solve all of our problems, give us everything, absolve us for taking any responsibility for our own decisions and our own lives, and that does not work. Government has tried to do that and now the whole world is in such a huge debt trap that it is going to change all of our lives at some point, and not for the better. People forget that whoever pays the bills gets to make the rules and make the decisions, so there goes your freedom in the end. That is why history is so important because it's happened over and over and over, but everybody thinks oh wow this never happened before. Not sure what we can do now to fix it, but I would guess the first thing we should do is stop digging the hole deeper. Probably not going to happen.

Thank you for sharing this very interesting and good discussion. I gently diverged on a couple of points. I do not use politics as a form of social therapy. Frankly, I'd much rather be out in the back 40 somewhere growing a beautiful garden and keeping a couple of chickens. Let everybody else do their own math. I've already done mine. But problem solving in my life has led me to politics. I've grown to realize that the source of my problems, somehow, involves politics and if I have a chance in he*l of solving them this is where I have to be. I am not inherently talented at it. I'm not "lonely" (per se). I am a little frustrated, but in today's world I don't think I'm the only one. Sorry, I'm not trying to fill a "hole in my soul". I really don't care. I'm just trying to solve some problems, and in the course of that endeavor, if I can help people along the way that would be my preference. I must admit this is evolving, as the longer I find myself in these circles, the more situations and circumstances I find that need some helping guidance, or that I might contribute to constructively, even if only in terms of supportive ideas. Other than that, it's nice to exchange with knowledgable, intelligent people once in awhile, who perhaps are trying to resolve their own challenges as well - Agree about the importance of a secure base and family. Isn't it true though that these terms can be relative? Not everyone has the quintessential family. Many must create their own. Others must endure and survive dysfunctional families. Friends are the family you choose for yourself. Agree with you about education. I learned that lesson the hard way, but I learned it. You are so right about trust. Really important. It's an earned thing that can't be faked. Goes hand in hand with integrity. Enjoyed listening. Thanks again.

David your ability to bring us awareness of our feelings our relationships morals WAIT in 2008 our climate hit a tipping point We are sensitive to our physical climate the increase in temperature unpredicable order lack of coherence turbulance If our climate is truely changing If we are helpless if we are really victims How should we feel? Is it silly to desire our earth would stop burning?❤

Some contradiction... first part of speech said happiness, viability, longevity was predicted by educational achievement and 2nd half claimed it was not a predictor of success.

Excellent!

What he says makes sense to me. He sees it as it is, I cannot disagree with it.

Amazing and compassionate analysis of the state of the humanity today, HOWEVER (you knew that was coming right?), after listening to this, and the British, and French and Geman liberals on this topic, I noticed one common thread. They analyze almost every region in the world, but tiptoe around India, the world's largest democracy, who after consistently voting for left liberals for 55 years, has voted a right wing populist in the power for the third time, making him the longest serving Prime Minister only the second time in the history of India. Why is this excluded from the analysis?

I'm glad I'm not young. I'm 68 and happy. Wow, people just need to get over it.

Suggest the base malaise is that more than ever before are being pressured to individuate- the herd morality formulas no longer suffice. Many are not remotely used to taking responsibility for their own foundational security. Or building it through rigorous character forming experience, or developing spiritual guidance from within. Hence the attraction to the strong man leader- he will solve it for you. Except this time around it won’t work. We must undergo a paradigm shift soon, all by ourselves-accompanied by those who can leap the ditch with us, perhaps.

Brooks is the best

Love David Brooks. He keeps optimistic despite the darkness.

These troubles would be much improved if he bottom 80% had twice their present income.

Why do political liberals (which is not the same term “liberal” used in “liberal democracy) always use populism as a negative term only associated with authoritarianism, “far right”, etc. Beginning such a discussion in such a polemic tone is immediately divisive and elitist, not objective or humble.

Wow! This man needs to be chief advisor to POTUS and Vice Potus! Can you imagine??

Well done

Many people today are up the creek without a paddle.

The end of resiliency in Earth’s carrying capacity is here. All the world’s pessimism flows directly or indirectly from the manifold pressures caused by that. If you don’t believe it, you have not looked closely enough to see the finer threads.

Ha! Nailed it! It WAS Katie Couric!

In this country if you put that Red Cross in your window with that meaning put forth in the Guardian, some MAGA type would throw a brick through your window.

17min in, is he saying there is no real problem except our psychological problem? ..........ok, I finished the whole lecture, and did some research on the guy, he supported Iraq war, he is the reason for all the problems in the world, and he has the audacity to come out and preach.

W O W!!!

I got a kick out of the woman who thinks that progressives see the “ Truth” and conservatives don’t.

So inspiring! 41:32

5:02 / 18:17 - roots and wings

Mr. Brooks is a lot smarter than I am. But why does he think he's right about anything? At least he should start with: "Here's my two cents worth." Then others would be more willing to add to what Mr. Brooks says or feel comfortable commenting on what he says. Maybe he's right and maybe he's wrong. That's my 2 cents worth.

"All of life is a series of daring explorations from a secure base".

Internet and social media: seeing limitless options, also different values to choose from, confusion... And russian covert malign meddling in social media, amplifying social divides.

How much of the negativity of society relates to the large cohort of aging boomers?

Family and moral order are not fundamental;, they are a consequence of each person's underlying security in the social order. Each person has to feel secure in their life BEFORE creating a stable family or defing a moral order, because personal security is THE fundamental drive. The problem in the last few decades is that there is a mismatch between our expectations (to provide personal security) and the ability of modern society to create that environment. In the decades past, our expectations were lower because life was indeed simpler. Health care could not do what it can now, but was cheaper and more affordable. But now we have cures for cancer and many other chronic diseases and disease prevention, but at a cost that makes health care less affordable. In the past, families expected to stay in their smaller houses. (Younger people are now staying longer at home but this is not an expectation but a reluctant necessity). But now houses are larger and people move from one house to another more often. Retirement was to rest so rather than travel the world, so financing could be simpler in the past. But people want to enjoy their retirement now. And companies expected to keep emplyees for life, but now they are fired and hired to keep labor costs low. And in the past high school was enough to be well employed, and then a college degree, and now a more specialized degree. Technological innovation of cable TV, internet, cell phones, computerized homes and cars create more expectations but with a diversion of personal income to pay for them, costs that were not present 40-50 years ago. So, people have higher expectations that society is failing to match. But why is society failing to the indifidual. Because, profit /wealth has become the penultimate goal of corporate and elite society. Corporate powers have coopted government to lower taxes and reduce social program funding or minimize social programs, reduce governments ability to regulate, and minimize those factors that make life less secure and maximize those factors that make life more secure. CEO's once made 40x their employee salaries, now they make 300-400 x. Income for these financial elites is not about paying for life needs and wants but represent a badge of accomplishment. These incomes have to come from somewhere, and that is the pockets and policies the previously supported the life of the common individual. In summary the rise of populism is the result of 1) greater complexty 2) greater expectations related to that complexity 3) the conflict between the benefits of greater complexity of modern life vs the costs reated to them 3) the diversion of resources (financial and political) by and toward wealthy individual and corporations that otherwise would have mitigated to costs of modern lifes complexity.

I don't buy that. 2008? What has that to do with family?

why is it happening? it's a backlash. very, very predictable.

Bottom line: our collrctive life is a balance between chaos and order. Right n9wee need more order. Responsibikities more than rights. Give more than take.

I love this man's decency. I completely disagree with his intellectual construct of the world, but I would happily be a supportive friend and neighbor to him and welcome him into my life, because no matter what happened I would know root to bone that he would do what was in his power to find a humane solution to any problem. Republican or Democrat that should be the bar to have the attention of the world focused on you - the respect of curiosity.

Great diagnosis - the best. Suggestions for healing - for a cure, not so great.

Brilliant, Brooks! Would have appreciated thoughts on the critical importance of a stable ECONOMIC base. Top 3, no doubt!! How do we get there (e.g., UBI)??

need to hear from Robert Sapolsky here 😂😂😂

Not all countries have such a dark outlook. Notably the full democracies (sadly there are only about twenty) mostly enjoy good levels of confidence in government, prosperity and human happiness. There is a lesson there.

David is one of the best speakers of our time. A lot of problems in the world would be solved if he was running for president in this election.

Go David!!! DBE - David Brooks Exception

12:00 "It couldn't be all the rich people just throwing their cards on the table and trying to re-establish feudalism, trust me, I need a safe retirement home, Its a spiritual crisis..." You srsly going with that?

Good writer and thinker. He keeps working on his life and reporting his findings. Thank you David.

The man who divorced his wife and picked up with a 20 something talking about morality again.

Low social trust -- sounds great, but where does that exist? In nonWestern countries, people marry their cousins, and they are basically trapped in their family.

College needs to be free for all. Businesses need to offer entry level positions that don't require college

It’s insane these are reporters and it’s one thing to have beliefs that you talk about but everything they talk about is political like they’re in a party working for a party there’s no objectivity it’s the bad here in the Good Hair and it’s always the same direction

Why is "democracy" a word with positive connotations, while the word "populism" has negative connotations... they are the same fucking thing.

Introduction is way too long winded.

The smug complacency of David Brooks reveals the privileged world that he inhabits. It is not very insightful, or representative. He is so ensconced in his own privilege that he is incapable of providing a genuine, visceral assessment of the present moment.

Great program but it fails to address the present threats. The permafrost has begun melting and cannot be stopped. We have no idea what is going to happen . Try faith . Vaya con Dios

This was wonderful!

If he did not making a living by lying on PBS I would have listened to more of it. I just can't stomach his preaching after seeing him for so many years.

Full of bullshit, talked about everything except for the real reason: rich is taking everything.

the Bible? any intellectual should be laughed out.

David is an intelligent speaker. But he should try to stay unbiased and objective politically. While he identifies overdose of individualism and liberalism as a problem, he refuses to see authoritarianism as part of the solution even after mentioning an example of its efficacy. All religion and family are authoritarian. Authority is what makes society function, too much is tyranny but there will be no society without it.

You missed the demographic shift - less kids and small families! 😮 Plus the infiltration of technology into every aspect of our lives! 🫤

David is one of my favorites. One of the greatest thinkers of our time. A true conservative in the best way.