Political and cultural commentator David Brooks kicks off the 25th anniversary celebration of the Chicago Humanities Festival by sharing his observations on the cultural shifts the United States has undergone since World War II. Brooks explains how the current generation, raised on what he calls a diet of “food, shelter and applause,” is more interested in fame than moral growth. He then breaks down the steps to becoming a deep, virtuous person, proposing a shift from an external journey for success to an internal journey for tranquility and self-respect.

This program is presented as part of the annual Karla Scherer Endowed Lecture Series for the University of Chicago.

This program was recorded on October 21, 2014.