The Importance of Saying Yes

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

David Brooks: "When you're 24, say yes to every opportunity" He says he's filled with random bits of advice for young people. One is that if you have some human capital, you might as well go for the big problem. Another is find this spot where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need. 'I chew pens and shoot heroin at the same time'

For two hours every morning, David Brooks crawls around his living room floor, organizing piles of research. Then, the piles become paragraphs, the paragraphs become columns or chapters, and the process - which he calls "writing" - is complete.

After that he might go out and see some people. A lunch, say, with his friend Tyler. And the two will discuss the things they're thinking, writing, and learning about. And David will feel rejuvenated, for he is a social animal (as are we all).

Then one day David will be asked by Tyler to come on his show, and perform this act publicly. To talk about his love for Bruce Springsteen, being a modern-day Whig, his "religious bisexuality," covenants vs. contracts, today's answer to the "Fallows Question," why failure is overrated, community and loneliness, the upside of being invaded by Canada, and much more.

And though he will be intimidated, David will oblige, and the result is here for you to enjoy.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links.

Recorded May 14th, 2018 Other ways to connect

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Tyler on Twitter
Follow David on Twitter
Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu
Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.