Brooks' rule for public speaking is to begin with jokes to help audiences relax and decide the speaker isn't going to bore them, allowing them to lower their defenses and open to the content.
normativepending
Speaker
David BrooksEvidence Quote
“I try to begin every speech with...jokes, cuz when the audience is sitting there...they're unconsciously asking themselves this question, is this guy going to suck?...then they can relax”
Source
David Brooks: America Has a Moral Problem, Not a Political One | Prof G Conversations— The Prof G Pod – Scott GallowayCreated: 8/12/2026, 6:39:10 PM
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