The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Why Can't We Be Friends?

Nov 8, 2023

New York Times columnist David Brooks joins Jonah Goldberg on The Remnant to discuss his new book 'How to Know a Person' which tackles the loneliness epidemic and the collapse of community. They explore the importance of understanding and connecting with others, the decline of social skills, the challenges of faith and politics, and the impact of being seen and recognized by others.

01:07:11

Episode guests

David Brooks

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Quick takeaways

The book emphasizes the significance of spreading understanding and making people feel seen, heard, and understood in a society marked by rising depression rates and diminishing personal connections.

The book guides readers through various skills to enhance their ability to know others from the first encounter to deep conversations and interactions across political differences.

The book highlights the importance of moral formation and the development of skills to treat others with consideration and respect in order to address the crisis of invisibility and disconnection in society.

Deep dives

The Importance of Understanding Others Deeply

The book emphasizes the significance of spreading understanding and making people feel seen, heard, and understood in a society marked by rising depression rates and diminishing personal connections.

Introduction

2min

The Importance of Being a Defiant Humanist in Brutal Times

1min

Modeling Good Behavior and the Importance of Being an Illuminator

4min

Being Seen and Recognized: Importance and Impact

17min

The Decline of Social Skills and Moral Formation

31min

Exploring the Remnant and the Challenges of Faith and Politics

5min

Gratitude, Book Promotion, AMA, and CNN Appearances

4min

For the first time in far too long, New York Times columnist David Brooks is on the Remnant to dispense some of the hottest political wisdom you’ll find this side of Lake Michigan. Lately, David’s been concerned with a serious challenge to America’s social fabric: It seems like most of us can’t really get to know other people. Our country is full of people who feel unseen or misunderstood, and this is fueling our loneliness epidemic and the broader collapse of community. In his new book, How to Know a Person, David offers some solutions to this crisis that largely begin on an interpersonal level. But what does it really mean for people to be seen? What common mistakes do we make in our interactions with others? And will those punk kids ever get off Jonah’s lawn?

Show Notes:

-Watch this episode on YouTube

-David’s page at the New York Times

-David’s page at The Atlantic

-David’s new book, How to Know a Person

-Richard Weaver’s Ideas Have Consequences

-The Remnant with Jean Twenge

-Enter to win a lunch with Jonah in D.C.

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