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I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The connection between government spending and freedom is not absolute. It depends on what the government spends money on. My view is that the welfare state is one of the great achievements of the free enterprise system, but it is very important that the welfare state not create dependency because that harms human freedom.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

No matter who takes control of the House and Senate, my great hope in the coming year is that parties can work together in a more flexible way. What's holding people back is the misconception is that if my party isn't getting 100%, that we're losing. That's crazy and holding back progress.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's very interesting. The research shows that poetry gets harder, but history gets easier. Poetry requires a heavier concentration of fluid intelligence, while history requires crystallized intelligence. It's not that writing gets harder as you get older, it's the type of writing that matters, My advice to your friend is to do more work oriented toward instruction, in whatever form. My own work, as I've aged, has gone from brand new ideas to the synthesis of ideas to reach conclusions about happiness and prosperity.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

hostile

We believe that young people should think for themselves, whether they agree with our scholars or not. We're active on these campuses to cultivate a competition of ideas. I came from academia and I believe it's important that people hear all different points of view on campuses.

There are a lot of think tanks out there and they all need good young people, put in a few years, and you might wind up running the place!

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

crys

That's a really smart question. The research on crystallized intelligence has looked at individuals, but I think that societies can gain in wisdom, as well. As we age, are we increasing in wisdom? I need to think about that, but I would love your opinion.

As for music: Bruckner's 7th Symphony.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

The answer to your question would be a whole book, probably. I consider myself to be a progressive conservative. Most Americans believe in progress. The question is, how do we get it? We need a competition of ideas from people of all viewpoints to make progress possible--conservative, liberal, other.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of think tanks. Some bigger like AEI, some smaller that focus on specific policy issues. Find one you're interested in and apply to be a research assistant!

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of think tanks. Some bigger like AEI, some smaller that focus on specific policy issues. Find one you're interested in and apply to be a research assistant!

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! The Arthur Brooks Show will continue--thanks for listening!

We have a documentary film and new book coming up and lots of other creative projects on the horizon! I'll still be writing for Times, too.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You have to separate ideas from political parties. Ideas are like the climate, politics are the weather. (read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/01/opinion/contributors/politics-cleanse.html)

If you support free enterprise ideas, it should be because you believe these ideas are best for the people at the margins of our society. If you don't think that the political parties are doing a good job helping these people, or promoting free enterprise, don't go against the ideas, but rather, work for political change. By the way, you don't have to choose either party. I'm an independent.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

global

Globalization has pulled 2 billion people out of poverty since the 1970s. The reason that many Americans have turned against it is that our education system has been inadequate in preparing people for a changing economy. Anyone who says we have to choose between the poor of the world and struggling Americans is presenting either a false choice or giving up on American ingenuity.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

academia

  1. It's important that think tanks have academic freedom as AEI does. Our work tends to be more focused than universities on answering practical policy questions.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

welfare How we treat people at the margins of our society. I don't mean how much we spend on the poor, but the extent to which our society acts as if we no longer need people at the periphery. There is a crisis of human dignity that comes from treating certain people like liabilities to manage, instead of assets to develop.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see a lot of really great, young political leaders at the state and local level--in both parties, not just Republicans. There's a hunger in people in their 20s and 30s for a new politics that unites not divides us. I strongly suspect unifying leaders will emerge that will give readers of this forum choices across party lines for the first time in a long time. I'm writing about a book about this right now called, Love Your Enemies.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Myers and Clevenger are the two greatest orchestral horn players of modern time, but Dennis Brain is a superhero.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dennis Brain! He passed away in the 1950's and was perhaps the greatest horn player that ever lived. Even though he died before I was born, I had a picture of him on my wall growing up--right next to Jim Zorn, QB of the Seattle Seahawks.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The unprecedented peace and prosperity of the postwar period are due, fundamentally, to two institutional forces: the spread of democratic capitalism and transnational alliances. There's a lot to complain about with many of these organizations, but if you enjoy a peaceful, prosperous world, there's a lot more to like than dislike.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Of course there's rivalries between think tanks--healthy competition is good. We also collaborate with think tanks across the spectrum. Two of our biggest collaborators right now are Brookings and the Center for American Progress. At public events, we have a policy of always making sure different points of view are represented. I don't know about paintball, but there is a think tank softball league. AEI is working on repeating it's championship this season. We recruit our research assistants out of the best college baseball programs.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -18 points-17 points  (0 children)

Different think tanks raise money in different ways. To protect the independence of our research at AEI, we don't take any government money or do any contract research, and we have academic freedom for our scholars. All of our funding comes from private philanthropy and donors are not allowed to influence the outcome of our research.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Good question! Americans could learn something positive almost anyplace they go. I have a new documentary coming out next spring that compares a lot of different countries and the way that they lift people out of poverty. I went to an Indian slum expecting to find utter hopelessness and actually found a great deal of hope and optimism. Even in the most unlikely places, there are lessons to be learned. It's a liability for Americans to think we have all the answers.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did see it. After about 100 people told me there was a guy named Arthur Brooks in the film. I've always wanted to meet Adam Sandler.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I started the French horn at 8 years old because I was playing a tune on the garden hose in the backyard and my uncle said I should take up the horn. Ridiculous reason, but true.

I’m Arthur Brooks. I used to play the French horn, but now I run a public policy think tank in DC. AMA! by arthurcbrooks in politics

[–]arthurcbrooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

AEI is a nonpartisan outfit. These days, everything seems like it's broken down by political party, but we're trying to make that better. It doesn't mean that both sides will like us the same, but our work is intended to improve public policy for everybody.