How the Elite rigged Society (and why it’s falling apart) | David Brooks

Summary

The speaker reflects on their upbringing as part of the educated elite, critiquing its role in fostering inequality, moral decay, and a fractured society. They discuss the rise of populism, notably Donald Trump, as a symptom of these failures. The speaker argues that societal renewal can come through personal transformation, spiritual healing, and collective action. Drawing on historical examples of crisis and recovery, they propose that cultural change occurs when small groups live out new, communal values that the broader society can follow, highlighting the need for empathy, human connection, and moral formation in times of societal crisis.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their background as part of the 'educated elite,' shaped by their parents' work as historians and a culture of British values and stoicism.
• 😀 The speaker reveals their childhood dream of becoming a writer after reading 'Paddington Bear,' which became central to their identity.
• 😀 Despite a rigid and intellectually competitive upbringing, the speaker faced personal disappointment in high school, including a failed romantic pursuit, which shaped their values of self-worth.
• 😀 The speaker critiques the elitism of Ivy League education and its role in perpetuating inequality, with affluent children vastly outperforming their less privileged peers in education and career opportunities.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the damaging effects of creating a meritocratic system that benefits the educated elite while leaving others behind, contributing to a divided society.
• 😀 A significant point in the speech addresses the decline of moral order and the rise of individualism, leading to societal fragmentation and a loss of shared values.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the moral order that guided key historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and how the loss of this moral compass has led to spiritual crises in societies.
• 😀 Mental health issues, increased suicide rates, and feelings of loneliness have grown in recent years, signaling a broader crisis in societal well-being, exacerbated by the elitist structures.
• 😀 The rise of populist figures like Donald Trump is a direct consequence of the educated elite's failure to address the needs and concerns of the wider public, highlighting a disconnect from mainstream values.
• 😀 Despite the challenges and crises faced by society, the speaker believes that transformation and recovery are possible through moments of collective suffering, drawing parallels with past national crises and recovery periods.

Q & A

What personal background does the speaker reveal about their upbringing?

The speaker mentions being raised in an educated, elite family with parents who were historians of Victorian England. The family culture was highly British, with a stiff upper lip and little emotional expression. The speaker's childhood turtles were named Israeli and Gladstone, reflecting the intellectual atmosphere at home.

How did the speaker's interest in writing develop?

At the age of seven, after reading 'Paddington Bear,' the speaker decided to become a writer, and this desire became central to their identity.

What does the speaker mention about their experience in high school?

The speaker reflects on wanting to date a woman named Bernice, who chose someone else instead. They felt their writing was superior to that of the other guy and recognized the role their values played in these experiences.

What universities did the speaker attend, and what was their experience like?

The speaker attended the University of Chicago, which they describe as a place with a very educated, elite culture. They majored in history and celibacy, reflecting the school's intense intellectual environment.

What role did the speaker take at the New York Times and PBS?

The speaker was hired as a conservative columnist at the New York Times, a position they humorously likened to being the Chief Rabbi at Mecca due to its rarity. They also worked at PBS NewsHour, serving a similar elite, seasoned audience.

What does the speaker criticize about the educational elite?

The speaker criticizes the educational elite for creating a meritocratic system that favors their own skills, leading to significant inequality. This system has resulted in a caste-like structure in society, where affluent children perform much better than others.

How does the speaker view the moral impact of the educated elite?

The speaker argues that the educated elite privatized morality, destroying the moral order that once held society together. They emphasize the importance of a moral framework, citing Martin Luther King's moral order as an example of what has been lost.

What does the speaker say about the rise of mental health issues?

The speaker highlights the rise in mental health problems, including increased suicide rates and feelings of hopelessness among high school students. They attribute this to the destruction of the moral and social fabric caused by the educated elite.

What role does the speaker attribute to Donald Trump in the context of the educated elite?

The speaker suggests that Donald Trump, while not an outsider, is a product of the educated elite. Trump and other influential figures like Elon Musk are criticized for their incompetence and anti-left sentiment, which lacks a constructive vision for society.

How does the speaker propose that society can recover from its current crises?

The speaker suggests that society can recover by undergoing moments of rupture and repair, drawing on historical examples of nations that faced crises and were eventually transformed. They emphasize the importance of spiritual and cultural resources in the process of healing.

What spiritual and cultural resources does the speaker believe can aid in societal recovery?

The speaker references the voices of historical and spiritual figures such as Genesis (the dignity of human beings), Exodus (the journey through hardship), Jesus (blessed are the meek), Edmund Burke (modesty in knowledge), and John Stuart Mill (diversity and pluralism) as sources of strength to guide the recovery.

What is the speaker's view on the shift from individualism to community in contemporary culture?

The speaker suggests that contemporary culture is moving from a hyper-individualistic mindset toward a more communal one. They recognize movements like social justice and even MAGA as attempts to find community, and they see this shift as essential for cultural change.

How does the speaker view cultural change and its impact on society?

The speaker believes that cultural change occurs when a small, creative minority lives in a beautiful and meaningful way, inspiring others to follow. They highlight the importance of moral formation, relational connections, and civic institutions in fostering this change.