Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

http://www.ted.com Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure -- and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[Orlando Owen]

finally, somebody speaks the truth. All those motivational coaches out there, eat your hearts out :)

[Johnathon Candelario]

Snobbery is a global phenomenon. Why do we care so much about our careers? Material goods. Greed. Insecurities lead to conspicuous consumption which we see each and everyday. I love how Alain de Botton takes such normalcies in our society and makes them hit close to home. Envy is closer to home than we think subconsciously. Bravo!

[Robert Wootton]

Success is "self actualization" re Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The role of government is not to produce a meritocracy but to enable the entelechy of its citizens.In my opinion.

[bipin samsohang]

NO STANDING OVATION ?

[Epistemofo]

Well... I suppose you might be. I believe that since he is Swiss, he was raised speaking French and German until he moved to England to attend boarding school. But he sounds to my ears about as English as it's possible to sound.

[michelangelifan1]

How did they say it? "Knowledge is power and freedom, only philosophy gives us wisdom." Thanks.

[michelangelifan1]

I like Alain de Botton. When he was much younger he made a TV series on happiness. Very impressing.

[deepak ghimire]

Terrific video. I was so confused observing my buddy move from being lame to a ladies man. He started attracting women over night. I found myself astounded. He acted as if it was standard for a little bit. He ultimately came clean on Friday. Turns out he makes use of the Jake Ayres Master Attraction Formula. Google it if you'd like to learn about it... He is on a date today with a gorgeous girl... Lucky bastard!

[Andy Copolov]

such a fuckwit

[1979coolhand]

haha, didn't get it the first time :)

I think a lot of Ferrari owners buy them to celebrate childhood memories, and perhaps they are fans of motor racing. I think it's a very negative thing to see owners of luxury cars as flawed in some way. And, as you said, many people need to shoot these people down, in order to satisfy themselves with their own lives.

I applaud those who have these successes (because I'm clearly a perfectly evolved indivdual :D :D)