The Communal Mentality in the 1950s

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CNN's John Sutter takes a question from the iPad. He says he believes 99% of our processing is unconscious, but that doesn't mean you can't control your life. There are times where cultures have turned around and without war, such as Britain between 1830 and 1848 or America in 1890-1910. But we're not going to go back to the 1950s with their kind of communal mentality they had after World War II.

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

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