My favourite session at Aspen Ideas was a talk by David Brooks. He got a standing ovation and made me weep.
His book, How to Know a Person, was on my list of favourites from my Wiser by Choice book club titles from last year. And I read his NYT columns regularly. So my fandom didn’t come as a complete surprise.
But I’ve been puzzling over what made his talk so memorable.
It was definitely well-researched and wide ranging. He reminded me of Malcolm Gladwell in that regard — talking a broad and long view of history and telling illustrative stories that leave me wondering how someone comes up with such interesting examples spanning hundreds of years.
It was also hopeful. His focus was on America’s path to recovery, and I left feeling optimistic that a) there is a path and b) lots of folks are already on it.
His stories were relevant to worlds I inhabit, including civil society, social skills and parenting. They were delivered in a low key, “friendly dad” style that felt comforting alongside (despite?) their brilliance.
But I think what made the address land so powerfully for me was his ability to weave elements of Christian spirituality into his message in a way that felt attractive and natural. (I don’t need to tell you how rare that is these days). For example, he used Jesus’ disciples as an example of how culture change happens — “a small group of people live interesting enough lives that other people want to copy them.” He quoted Henri Nouwen and Frederick Buechner — writers I’ve long admired. He spoke of a rhythm of “rupture and repair” — a phrase I know from restorative justice circles but was surprised to hear from the stage. It all felt very normal, and that in itself was oddly jarring.
Brooks is Jewish and Canadian by birth, Christian and American by choice. His message was moderate and transformative at the same time, and it was a privilege to witness its delivery. (I wanted to open this post with a quote, but I was writing too quickly to transcribe any full sentences! So many gems.) I highly recommend you watch the session.