This long-form 2011 New Yorker piece by David Brooks, The Social Animal, is an upper class parable condensing current research around connection and emotional intelligence. Brooks published a book, “The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement” later that year, expanding on these ideas and the research behind them.

I still find the original article to be a succinct and amusing read addressing the eternal question of how to build a fulfilling life.  I also enjoy the fact that so much can be learned from a conservative pundit who has been completely tone-deaf and out of his element in recent years; reading David Brooks fondly gives us points against the generally left-leaning bubble I inhabit.  It’s a win all around!

[Illustration by Oliver Munday from the NYT review of the Social Animal]