Arthur C. Brooks
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- Milken Institute1h 0m
Author Talk: Arthur C. Brooks, "The Meaning of Your Life" | Global Conference 2026
Arthur C. Brooks, Conrad Kiechel
Arthur Brooks, the author of a recent bestseller and former Harvard professor, addresses a psychogenic epidemic of mental distress by attributing rising loneliness and anxiety to a societal over-reliance on technology and "left-brain" complexity at the expense of human connection and "right-brain" meaning. Drawing on neurobiological research and logotherapy, Brooks advocates for a three-step digital detox and a shift toward vertical and lateral transcendence to reclaim fulfillment, arguing that lasting satisfaction stems from managing desire and cultivating relationships rather than chasing the elusive goal of happiness. His analysis further distinguishes between the damaging pursuit of "specialness" and the liberating reality that love is an unearned gift, offering a framework for individuals to navigate the AI-driven economy by prioritizing complex human problems over complicated technical solutions.
- Milken Institute1h 18m
The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier and More Prosperous America
Arthur C. Brooks, George F. Will, Mike Clouden
Arthur Brooks delivers a comprehensive argument that free enterprise, driven by aspiration and moral sentiment rather than greed, is the most effective mechanism for lifting billions out of poverty while warning against the spiritual emptiness of material attachment. He critiques current cultural and educational stigmas against skilled trades and calls for "breakout leadership" to foster bipartisan cooperation centered on opportunity for the poor. The session concludes with a Q&A and book signing for Brooks' work, *The Conservative Heart*, exploring strategies to balance economic success with endogenous life goals.