Conversations with Tyler David Brooks on Audacity, AI, and the American Psyche (Live at 92NY)
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Aug 20, 2025 
David Brooks, a columnist for The New York Times and author, shares his insights on the evolving American psyche. He diagnoses sociological issues over economic ones, pointing to the decline of family and community as core problems. Brooks discusses the unique pressures facing today's youth, who are both the most productive and most rejected generation. He probes the impact of technology on relationships and the literary landscape while reflecting on the role of neoconservatism in addressing societal challenges. The conversation touches on audacity, AI, and the future of social engagement.
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Productive Yet Lonely Generation
- Young people are simultaneously more productive and far more lonely and despondent than previous generations.
- Massive rejection from elite opportunities and social signaling via phones drives widespread anxiety.
Phones Alter Courtship Timing
- Smartphones compress adolescent experiences and delay risky behaviors into later years, increasing anxiety about relationships.
- Digital interactions (ghosting, lack of breakup skills) create distrust and reluctance to form long-term attachments.
Put Relationships First
- Prioritize relationships and practice romance early to develop skills for long-term marriage decisions.
- Treat marriage selection as a key life skill and seek partners you both admire and can converse with for decades.
