Summary: I came across a column that David Brooks wrote earlier this year. It went viral, and in the opening paragraph he explains his reason for writing it. He says: "Four years ago, in the midst of the Obama presidency, I published a book called The Road to Character. American culture seemed to be in decent shape and my focus was on how individuals can deepen their inner lives. This week, in the midst of the Trump presidency, I've got another book, The Second Mountain. It's become clear in the interim that things are not in good shape, that our problems are societal. The whole country is going through some sort of spiritual and emotional crisis. College mental health facilities are swamped, suicide rates are spiking, the president's repulsive behavior is tolerated or even celebrated by tens of millions of Americans. At the root of it all is the following problem: We've created a culture based on lies." In the piece, Brooks identifies the five biggest lies our culture tells, the ones he sees at the heart of our culture's shared spiritual sickness. He lists them: 1. Career success is fulfilling; 2. I can make myself happy; 3. Life is an individual journey; 4. You have to find your own truth, and 5. Rich and successful people are worth more than poorer and less successful people.
