TED: The social animal | David Brooks

The video explores the paradox of politicians' social skills and their dehumanization in policymaking. It critiques modern cultural practices, especially in parenting, and highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships. The speaker discusses a revolution in understanding human consciousness, emphasizing emotions and social connections over rationality. Key skills like mindsight, equipoise, and sympathy are identified as crucial for human capital. The video concludes with a call for a more humanized approach to culture and policy.

What paradoxical behavior do politicians exhibit according to the speaker?

• They are socially skilled but fail in policymaking.

• They are emotionally detached but successful in policymaking.

• They are emotionally stable but fail in policymaking.

• They are socially awkward but excel in policymaking.

What has the historical view of human nature emphasized?

• Emphasis on social skills

• Integration of reason and emotion

• Separation of reason and emotion

• Focus on emotional intelligence

What does the speaker criticize about modern parenting?

• Focus on emotional well-being

• Neglect of physical health

• Overemphasis on measurable achievements

• Lack of focus on academic success

What new understanding of human nature is being developed?

• A focus on materialistic values

• A return to traditional philosophical views

• A new humanism emphasizing emotions and social connections

• An emphasis on individualism

What is the role of emotions in our thinking according to the speaker?

• They are separate from reason.

• They are the foundation of reason.

• They hinder rational decision-making.

• They are irrelevant to wisdom.

What does the speaker suggest about the unconscious mind?

• It is less important than the conscious mind.

• It is dumb and sexualized.

• It does most of the work in our thinking.

• It is irrelevant to human behavior.

What does the speaker imply about the French Enlightenment?

• It was irrelevant to modern society.

• It focused on social skills.

• It overemphasized reason over emotions.

• It had a better understanding of human nature.

Which skill is described as the ability to enter into other people's minds?

• Equipoise

• Limerence

• Sympathy

• Mindsight

What is the significance of 'sympathy' as discussed in the video?

• It is the ability to work within groups.

• It is the ability to understand emotions.

• It is the drive for personal success.

• It is the foundation of reason.

What does the speaker mean by 'limerence'?

• A motivation for moments of transcendence

• A drive for success and prestige

• A skill for social interaction

• A trait for emotional intelligence