Summary

On a Sunday evening, David Brooks is listening to an old radio program while driving in his car. The specific program had originally been broadcasted the day after World War II ended. The program’s host explains the sentiment of humility that had taken over the U.S. in response to the war victory — joy was mixed with self-doubt. Rather than feeling superior, the citizens focused on resisting the urge to feel pride or superiority.

The culture in the nation since then, however, has shifted. The old culture was based on a moral tradition that lasted centuries, with social sanctions against bragging and arrogance. The new culture of the present focuses on self-promotion and self-celebration. The shift is not just an abstract phenomenon, but one that can be captured through data. Brooks found data showing a rise in the median narcissism inventory score...