Chicken Littles Are Ruining America

In this article, David Brooks addresses the widespread pessimism in American society, arguing that it has become a defining feature of contemporary culture.

He notes that this pessimism is not limited to one side of the political divide but is a shared sentiment across different groups, often fueled by a sense of collective oppression and an 'us-versus-them' mentality.

Brooks also discusses how this pessimism particularly affects the young, leading to a decline in hope and a sense of agency.

The article critiques the way contemporary discourse can rob people of their sense of control and how it contributes to mass neuroticism and erosion of trust.