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Alain de Botton:
A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

TEDGlobal 2009 · 16:51 · Filmed Jul 2009
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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.

Alain de Botton
Philosopher
Through his witty and literate books — and his new School of Life — Alain de Botton helps others find fulfillment in the everyday. Full bio
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
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Status Anxiety
Alain de Botton
Vintage
2005

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