Shilo (Shiloh) Brooks

Shilo Brooks, President and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, advocates for deep reading as a solution to the crisis young men face today. He argues that reading great literature cultivates wisdom and interest, urging a revival in classroom dynamics. Addressing the alarming decline of male readership, he links it to tech distractions and absent role models. Cornel West joins the conversation, exploring the relevance of Plato's Republic for modern justice and the importance of philosophical dialogue over social media noise. Together, they emphasize the transformative power of classical texts.

In an engaging conversation with Shilo Brooks, CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center and host of the Old School podcast, Ryan Holiday reveals his deep affection for Walker Percy’s The Moviegoer. They discuss the protagonist Binx's quest for meaning amidst postwar consumerism and distractions like women and work. The dialogue highlights themes of existential emptiness and Percy's notion of 'everydayness.' Ryan also delves into the influences of Catholicism and Stoicism within the novel, offering a rich exploration of purpose.