NY Times writer's discourse slated for public eye

New York Times columnist David Brooks will be giving a speech Nov. 17 as part of the 2009 George T. Hunter Lecture Series, according to a UTC press release.Brooks is a bi-weekly opinions and editorials columnist for the New York Times, and he regularly appears on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer and NPR's "All Things Considered," according to the press release.

Brooks worked at The Wall Street Journal for nine years in addition to his time working for The Weekly Standard, The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Forbes and The Washington Post.

Brooks is the author of "On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now (And Always Have) in the Future Tense."

His latest book, "Bobos in Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There", has been described by author Kurt Anderson as "a pleasure, simultaneously bracing and comforting, like a sauna."

In this book, Brooks uses the word "bobo" to define the upper class as those who have wed bourgeois capitalist enterprise and the values of the bohemian counter culture to form a completely new hybrid lifestyle and culture.

Critics said they consider this book a witty and serious look at the cultural consequences of the information age according to the university news feed.

Chuck Cantrell, vice chancellor of university relations, said, "We are always happy to be able to expose our students to high-profile speakers to help enrich the overall college experience.

"Even when [students] disagree, they usually appreciate the opportunity to hear the thoughts and the exchange of ideas," he said.

Brooks will be speaking first to University Honors students and answering questions in the Reading Room Nov. 17 from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m.

He will speak again in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall in the UTC Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. Nov. 17. The lecture will be free and open to the public.