Alain de Botton: Work and Emotional Intelligence

Alain de Botton (Author, Philosopher, and Founder of the School of Life) takes us along for one of his famous, wide-spanning tour de force, this time on finding meaning in work, consumerism, and how tech innovation may one day become emotionally intelligent.

Founders Pledge Forum 2019 took place at the Conduit in London on June 11th. Bringing together the Founders Pledge community and the voices at the frontier of social change, it explored new visions for the future of philanthropy.

About Alain de Botton:

Alain de Botton is the founder and Chairman of The School of Life. Alain was born in Zurich, Switzerland and now lives in London. He is a writer of essayistic books that have been described as a 'philosophy of everyday life.' He’s written on love, travel, architecture and literature, including the titles 'How Proust Can Change Your Life' and 'The Consolations of Philosophy.' His books have been bestsellers in 30 countries and his latest, titled 'How to Think More About Sex' was published by Pan Macmillian as part of The School of Life's series of self-help guides.

He is the founder of Living Architecture, a social enterprise that asks top architects to build holiday homes for rental around the UK.

[realbobbyaxel]

If the world has 50 more Alain De Bottons. That would make the world a lot saner place. But incredibly grateful for having at least 1

[SeanTheDon]

I clicked when I saw Alain. I was not disappointed.

[jolinagan]

Alain de Botton has a depth of intellect and insight served in his compelling narrative voice and tasteful wit. He constructs societally relevant talks that hit all the right spots for listening pleasure and intellectual gain. I’ve always thought he was an eloquent writer. Delightful discovery: Alain is an eloquent speaker too.

[jonathanphillips]

"Advertising is clever, they know what we need, they just won't sell it to us." Love this guy haha 😊

[sobrevida]

"If you know what you really need, you don't desire so many things"

[freeagent]

There would be so many people working, coming home, cooking looking after the kids without time to watch this. Having leisure time is a great luxury. Appreciate.

[ArchiduquesaMA]

He is so charismatic and smart !! Such a global tresure

[Mary.R.]

Listening to this in a library, and I had to stop myself from shouting 'Ghostbusters!' every time he asked "Who do you call?"

[otamans]

Every Friday i watch his videos and then i start reflecting on my life.

[rebeckasvensson]

Very intellectual. He got me started questioning and thinking about stuff on a deep level. Thank you for sharing!!

[qq]

A true pleasure to listen to this lecture. With one exception: the problem of starvation in 1950s Germany concerned primarily allied-occupied territory (west) while Stalin made effort to feed his (eastern) zone properly. Right after the war it was more comfy to live there. It was after some time that the situation had reversed.

[trakyaliibrahim]

There's no swindle about "higher needs being outside of commerce", his School Of Life is the very example of that. He talks about gurus and stuff. They're already in that market. Tech-companies, especially social media companies like Instagram are used the way they are by people who are trying to fulfill their higher needs.

The very problem of the concept of a market that provides you Maslow's higher needs is the hipocrisy it entails. You can't buy love/belonging. You can't buy esteem. You can't buy self-actualization. There are organizations that are advertising you all of this, but they can't deliver it, no matter how much they try.

[keithklassen]

I'm so goddam glad we don't get our deeper needs met by corporations. Those are the most sensitive elements of our existence, and corporations are inherently uninterested in truly respecting their customers if they can fool their customers into paying for their deeper needs to be continually *not* met, which has been a wonderfully successful endeavour for them.

[RuthB-qz]

You are so brilliant that from moment zero it's impossible to move away from this video : ) thanks for all you do Alain! keep going

[fairplayer]

One of the biggest untapped industry is the preparation to die. We are so wrapped up in living we ignore this fundamental reality, and assume that only owning life insurance is the answer.

[joseemoudouthe]

Love listen you...I'm french speaker from Cameroon, doing my best to understand, because so interesting...hope will have french translation of your video

[KelseyPoinsatteJones]

Most brilliant conclusion of 2021 for me thus far...billion dollar industries on passive aggression and higher up maslow hierarchy of needs

[singintherain-eh]

Alain de Botton always delivers excellent speeches!

[drsfinesflaca]

It’s crazy how there are so many therapist online now that u can just chat with! Genuine need💯

[milwaukeebuds]

I really enjoy listening to that guy...