David Brooks's Blog, page 63

The Evolution of Simplicity

These are busy and complicated times, and today’s simplicity movements are different from those in the past.

The Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio Moment

The Republicans just picked one capable leader for the House and have another ready for their presidential nomination.

A Sensible Version of Donald Trump

A superior outsider — not just from outside the political system, like Trump, but outside partisan thinking — could offer a great deal to America.

Lady Gaga and the Life of Passion

Those who immerse themselves in their pursuits show courage in exploring their inner selves and in getting past worrying about what others think.

Enter the Age of the Outsiders

One of today’s most worrying big trends is that the more extreme fringe elements of society are on the rise, in domestic politics, global politics, and beyond.

Schools for Wisdom

A new documentary promotes an educational approach suited for modern times and the modern workplace. But it shortchanges intellectual virtues.

The Republicans’ Incompetence Caucus

The party’s capacity to govern has degraded over recent decades as the G.O.P. has become prisoner to its own bombastic rhetoric.

Hillary Clinton’s Opportunist Solution!

Hillary Clinton no longer even pretends to be consistent or authentic, but maybe that can work with voters and in office.

The Big University

Many universities founded as religious institutions have needlessly dropped a key original goal: educating students’ emotional, spiritual and moral sides.

Carly Fiorina: The Marketing Genius

Carly Fiorina’s rise will quickly flame out unless she develops an understanding of middle-class challenges necessary to back up her impressive rhetoric.