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Summary of The Second Mountain 

4.5 . 2880 reviews

Short summary

"The Second Mountain" is a tidbit that addresses the problem of the ever-weakening sense of community and connection in the country. It opens our eyes to the pain we now face due to the glorification of isolation which has become the deal of the day, and more importantly, how to escape it. David Brooks is a Canadian-born American political and cultural commentator and New York Times writer. He appears regularly on PBS News Hour and Meet the Press. David Brooks was a former film critic for the Washington Times and a reporter and later op-ed editor for The Wall Street Journal. He was a visiting professor at Duke University. In 2012, David Brooks was elected to the University of Chicago Board of Trustees. "When your life is defined by fervent commitments, you are on the second mountain." ~ David Brooks

Table of content

  • Summary of The Second Mountain
  • About the author
  • What is The Second Mountain about?
  • Who should read The Second Mountain
  • Topics in The Second Mountain
first key point

Individualism restricts us from living a purposeful life that involves reaching out to others

Listen the first key point
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Every time David Brooks meets people who are always joyous and delighted about small pleasures, he begins to wonder how they came to be that way. He sees that their disposition is not a result of their perfection—they also get exhausted and stressed at times. However, they have learned to live for others and not themselves and have made commitments to family and loved ones. They understand why they are on earth, and their satisfaction is traced to a knowledge of this purpose. Although things can be difficult for them too, they have decided to pay attention to others. These people have decided to live on the second mountain.

David Brooks believes that every human being takes the shape of two mountains. The first mountain is individualism—where people are self–centered, and the second mountain is relation and commitment centered. The focus of people that dwell at the first mountain is reputation management; they are looking for ways to be successful, enjoy personal happiness, and be valued in society. Having gotten to the peak, some of the first mountain dwellers will realize that it is unsatisfying. They will take time out to meditate on a more profound journey to take. Others who failed in the pursuit of the apex of the first mountain also take time out to seek an alternative. Amid these mediations and sufferings, they discover the second mountain. The second mountain is characterized by relationships and intimacy, at this point, your focus shifts to others and not you.
Living a generous life has a way of redefining who you are; it makes your life meaningful.
In this summary, you will learn how people migrate from the first to the second mountain. You will also be exposed to different ways to build a second mountain mentality.
When a whole society is built around self–preoccupation, its members become separated from one another, divided and alienated. ~ David Brooks
second key point

Moral ecologies are the determinants of whether or not a sense of community will be formed

A moral ecology is a micro–culture that persists among a group of people due to how they live their lives and the vibes they send out to those around them. Moral ecologies determine the way a group of people dress, talk, and behave and their ultimate purpose. They are the collective response of a particular person to the big problems of a specific moment. Over the years, moral ecologies have come and gone in societies. For example, in the middle of the 20th century, the people of the Northern Hemisphere were faced with a great depression and a terrible world war. Due to this, people joined armies, formed unions, and worked at big companies. That entire period, the moral ecology required people to work together. Their whole moral ecology can be summarized as “we're all in this together.”
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third key point

Loneliness is not something that can be cured by social media

fourth key point

Religion is not a mindless dogma; on the contrary, it is a necessary part of human life

fifth key point

The ideal community might be a little different from what we have convinced ourselves is what we need, but it is necessary

sixth key point

Building a healthy community from the one we are already used to is something we must consciously decide to do

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is The Second Mountain about?

Who should read The Second Mountain

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.