The solution to envy in our own lives is admiration, says Harvard's Arthur Brooks

Summary

Arthur Brooks joins Squawk Box to discuss New Year's resolutions, happiness, and the difference between envy and admiration. He argues that modern unhappiness is driven less by bad news itself than by unbounded digital information and social comparison. Brooks says meaning comes from love, faith or philosophy, family, real friendships, and work you are needed for, and he frames activism and conspiracy theories as cries for deeper meaning.

• Arthur Brooks discusses his Free Press column on New Year's resolutions.
• He contrasts modern anxiety with past physical labor and bounded information.
• Brooks says constant phone and news consumption creates stress without boundaries.
• He argues happiness and meaning are rooted in love, faith, family, friendship, and work.
• He describes envy as a natural hierarchical comparison instinct.
• He says admiration, not resentment, is the solution to envy.
• He views activism and conspiracy theories as signs of a search for meaning.
• No specific securities, assets, or investment trades are discussed.