Trevor Noah asked me: Why do so many brilliant young people chase money instead of meaning? We talked for 1.5 hours about human nature, billionaires, capitalism vs. socialism, privilege, and my upcoming book ‘Moral Ambition’—but this question really stuck with me. Because here’s the reality: talent is being wasted on a colossal scale. 🔹 In the 1970s, 80-90% of American students believed ‘developing a meaningful philosophy of life’ was ‘essential’. 🔹 Only 40-50% cared about ‘being very well off
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Trevor Noah asked me: Why do so many brilliant young people chase money instead of meaning? We talked for 1.5 hours about human nature, billionaires, capitalism vs.
Rutger Bregman. . Trevor Noah asked me: Why do so many brilliant young people chase money instead of meaning? We talked for 1.5 hours about human nature, billionaires, capitalism vs. socialism, privilege, and my upcoming book ‘Moral Ambition’—but this question really stuck with me. Because here’s the reality: talent is being wasted on a ...
9.5K viewsMar 10, 2025
Rutger Bregman TED Talk
"Poverty is not a lack of character. Poverty is a lack of cash.” Watch Rutger Bregman’s full talk on the case for universal basic income: http://t.ted.com/dw4sFsB | TED
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"Poverty is not a lack of character. Poverty is a lack of cash.” Watch Rutger Bregman’s full talk on the case for universal basic income: http://t.ted.com/dw4sFsB | TED
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Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash
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Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash
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4.4M viewsMay 22, 2017
Poverty is a lack of cash, not a lack of character says Rutger Bregman — here’s his plan to solve it: #RutgerBregman #Economics #SocialChange | TED
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Poverty is a lack of cash, not a lack of character says Rutger Bregman — here’s his plan to solve it: #RutgerBregman #Economics #SocialChange | TED
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I’m Done With the Online Left (And Here’s Why) There’s a dangerous illusion gripping parts of the left today: that moral purity is a strategy, that being uncompromising is a virtue, and that online callouts are a substitute for real-world organizing. But history tells a very different story. Every major progressive victory, abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, was built not on ideological purity, but on a broad coalition. A messy, imperfect, and often uncomfortable coalition.
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I’m Done With the Online Left (And Here’s Why) There’s a dangerous illusion gripping parts of the left today: that moral purity is a strategy, that being uncompromising is a virtue, and that online callouts are a substitute for real-world organizing. But history tells a very different story. Every major progressive victory, abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, was built not on ideological purity, but on a broad coalition. A messy, imperfect, and often uncomfortable coalition.
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11.9K viewsMay 10, 2025
You Don’t Have to Waste Your Talent, Says ‘Moral Ambition’ Author Rutger Bregman | The Interview
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You Don’t Have to Waste Your Talent, Says ‘Moral Ambition’ Author Rutger Bregman | The Interview
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10.4K viewsMay 17, 2025
What if your next career move actually changed the world? We’re launching the second edition of the Moral Ambition Fellowship—a full-time, paid opportunity for ambitious professionals ready to take on two of the world’s most urgent (and overlooked) challenges. This isn’t a side project. As a fellow, you’ll leave your current role to join a career-defining program starting this September. You’ll get trained by global experts, work alongside peers just as driven as you are, and complete a 6-month
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What if your next career move actually changed the world? We’re launching the second edition of the Moral Ambition Fellowship—a full-time, paid opportunity for ambitious professionals ready to take on two of the world’s most urgent (and overlooked) challenges. This isn’t a side project. As a fellow, you’ll leave your current role to join a career-defining program starting this September. You’ll get trained by global experts, work alongside peers just as driven as you are, and complete a 6-month
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4.2K viewsApr 2, 2025
Rutger Bregman Books
Rutger Bregman introduces his new book, HUMANKIND, and shares his thoughts on a more 'hopeful history' 🤗 HUMANKIND is available now - https://bit.ly/2ysgpbo ☂️ | Bloomsbury Publishing Australia
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Rutger Bregman introduces his new book, HUMANKIND, and shares his thoughts on a more 'hopeful history' 🤗 HUMANKIND is available now - https://bit.ly/2ysgpbo ☂️ | Bloomsbury Publishing Australia
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Watch one of Europe’s most prominent young thinkers, Rutger Bregman in this bite-sized interview. He talks books, inspiration and the benefit of having a boring private life! | RSA Events
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Watch one of Europe’s most prominent young thinkers, Rutger Bregman in this bite-sized interview. He talks books, inspiration and the benefit of having a boring private life! | RSA Events
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I’m Done With the Online Left (And Here’s Why) There’s a dangerous illusion gripping parts of the left today: that moral purity is a strategy, that being uncompromising is a virtue, and that online callouts are a substitute for real-world organizing. But history tells a very different story. Every major progressive victory, abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, was built not on ideological purity, but on a broad coalition. A messy, imperfect, and often uncomfortable coalition.
1:37
I’m Done With the Online Left (And Here’s Why) There’s a dangerous illusion gripping parts of the left today: that moral purity is a strategy, that being uncompromising is a virtue, and that online callouts are a substitute for real-world organizing. But history tells a very different story. Every major progressive victory, abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, was built not on ideological purity, but on a broad coalition. A messy, imperfect, and often uncomfortable coalition.
11.9K viewsMay 10, 2025
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You Don’t Have to Waste Your Talent, Says ‘Moral Ambition’ Author Rutger Bregman | The Interview
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You Don’t Have to Waste Your Talent, Says ‘Moral Ambition’ Author Rutger Bregman | The Interview
10.4K viewsMay 17, 2025
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What if your next career move actually changed the world? We’re launching the second edition of the Moral Ambition Fellowship—a full-time, paid opportunity for ambitious professionals ready to take on two of the world’s most urgent (and overlooked) challenges. This isn’t a side project. As a fellow, you’ll leave your current role to join a career-defining program starting this September. You’ll get trained by global experts, work alongside peers just as driven as you are, and complete a 6-month
2:00
What if your next career move actually changed the world? We’re launching the second edition of the Moral Ambition Fellowship—a full-time, paid opportunity for ambitious professionals ready to take on two of the world’s most urgent (and overlooked) challenges. This isn’t a side project. As a fellow, you’ll leave your current role to join a career-defining program starting this September. You’ll get trained by global experts, work alongside peers just as driven as you are, and complete a 6-month
4.2K viewsApr 2, 2025
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When we first announced our Moral Ambition Fellowship at Harvard, some people pushed back: ‘Why focus on privileged kids? Aren’t they just future sell-outs?’ I get the question. But what we’ve found is the opposite. Most students genuinely want to do good, they’re just funneled into BS-jobs by companies with marketing and recruiting budgets the size of small nations. When you’re 20 and unsure what to do with your life, the path of least resistance is hard to resist. That’s why we’re here at The
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When we first announced our Moral Ambition Fellowship at Harvard, some people pushed back: ‘Why focus on privileged kids? Aren’t they just future sell-outs?’ I get the question. But what we’ve found is the opposite. Most students genuinely want to do good, they’re just funneled into BS-jobs by companies with marketing and recruiting budgets the size of small nations. When you’re 20 and unsure what to do with your life, the path of least resistance is hard to resist. That’s why we’re here at The
70.8K views5 months ago
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Dutch historian & author Rutger Bregman uncovers the biggest misconception about humankind. His hopeful message should be heard by the world. | BrightVibes
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Dutch historian & author Rutger Bregman uncovers the biggest misconception about humankind. His hopeful message should be heard by the world. | BrightVibes
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Here's a truth as old as time: power corrupts. Psychological research shows that people under the influence of power are more impulsive, self-centred, reckless, arrogant and rude than average, they are more likely to cheat on their spouses, are less attentive to other people and less interested in others’ perspectives. Power appears to work like an anaesthetic that makes you insensate to other people. Neurologists have discovered that a sense of power disrupts what is known as ‘mirroring’, a men
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Here's a truth as old as time: power corrupts. Psychological research shows that people under the influence of power are more impulsive, self-centred, reckless, arrogant and rude than average, they are more likely to cheat on their spouses, are less attentive to other people and less interested in others’ perspectives. Power appears to work like an anaesthetic that makes you insensate to other people. Neurologists have discovered that a sense of power disrupts what is known as ‘mirroring’, a men
6.6K viewsJul 29, 2024
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Historian Rutger Bregman previews his 2025 Reith Lectures, ‘Moral Revolution’. He explores the decline of today’s elites, lessons from past movements like the fight to abolish the slave trade, and how small groups can spark big change. The Reith Lectures | Listen on BBC Sounds | BBC Radio 4
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Historian Rutger Bregman previews his 2025 Reith Lectures, ‘Moral Revolution’. He explores the decline of today’s elites, lessons from past movements like the fight to abolish the slave trade, and how small groups can spark big change. The Reith Lectures | Listen on BBC Sounds | BBC Radio 4
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Who are the real wealth creators? The bankers, the corporate lawyers, the marketeers and the CEO’s? Or the teachers, nurses, garbage collectors, plumbers, cleaners, care workers, etc.? Most of the time, wealth isn’t created at the top. It’s merely devoured there. A growing share of those we hail as “successful” and “innovative” are earning their wealth at the expense of others. The people getting the biggest handouts are not down around the bottom, but at the very top. We need a wholly different
255.4K views10 months ago
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If we want to change the world, we need the courage to be unrealistic, unreasonable, and impossible. Remember: those who called for the abolition of slavery, for suffrage for women, and for same-sex marriage were also once branded lunatics. Until history proved them right. Or in the words of Oscar Wilde: ‘A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out
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Here's why I co-founded the School for Moral Ambition – and why we're recruiting the most talented people we can find to lobby and campaign for a global billionaire tax 🚀 More info: https://www.moralambition.org/stories/tax-fairness-explainer | Rutger Bregman
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Short backstage interview at the RSA about the best piece of advice I've been given, who inspires me and what I'm most curious about. | Rutger Bregman
4.3K viewsApr 5, 2017
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I’m SO excited to share this news!! Today, we’re launching the first-ever Moral Ambition University Fellowship. And we’re starting at Harvard. This is a program for the most talented students who want to use their summer to do work *that actually matters*. Not polishing boring PowerPoints at McKinsey. Not padding the profits of Goldman Sachs. But tackling the world’s BIGGEST challenges: from global poverty to climate change to preventing the next pandemic. Why start at Harvard? Because for decad
101.7K views6 months ago
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Rutger Bregman's Take on Society's Most Overlooked Waste - Moral Ambition - Morele Ambition
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It was such an honour to be interviewed by the brilliant @abigaildisney, advocate of tax fairness and proud class traitor, at the recent @patrioticmillionaires conference in Washington D.C. We talked about the Bermuda Triangle of Talent — how corporate law, finance, and consultancy keep sucking up so many talented people. It’s time to redirect that brilliance. We need wealth redistribution, but also talent redistribution. That’s why we’re going to recruit SWAT-teams of ex-bankers, lawyers, and w
6.1K viewsApr 21, 2025
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Most marketers sell products. We’re looking for marketers interested in sharing an idea: Moral Ambition. After a strong year at The School for Moral Ambition we’re hiring a marketing specialist in New York. The role is focused on storytelling and coordination. You’ll help turn research and clear arguments into stories people want to read, watch, and share. You’ll have room to take responsibility, work closely with the team, and help shape how our work shows up in the world. If you’re a thoughtfu
15.3K views3 months ago
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Een radicaal idee: wat als de meeste mensen gewoon deugen? | Rutger Bregman
519.4K viewsJun 19, 2019
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The world doesn’t change because you stayed morally spotless. It changes when you bite your tongue, make the trade-offs, and actually move things forward. | Rutger Bregman
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"Moral Ambition" & Measuring Success with Rutger Bregman & Adam Grant
2.7K views10 months ago
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Have you ever heard of the psychological phenomenon called ‘elevation’? Among the first psychologists to study this effect was Jonathan Haidt, in the late 1990s. In one of his articles he tells the story of a student who helped an old lady shovel snow from her driveway. One of his friends, seeing this selfless act, later wrote: ‘I felt like jumping out of the car and hugging this guy. I felt like singing and running, or skipping and laughing. Just being active. I felt like saying nice things abo
7.1K viewsJun 18, 2024
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Universal Basic Income may appear to be a radical concept. But at its core it addresses the simple question: What if a person’s existence did not need to be justified by work? We have generally accepted and assumed throughout a majority of our history that work is what creates a structure to our lives and instills meaning into it. However, society is beginning to lose that belief. A growing number of people particularly in well-paid, white-collar roles no longer believe their jobs are necessary.
12.2K views10 months ago
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If I had to pick a website that changed my worldview, it would be @OurWorldinData. We live in an era where the headlines are filled with negativity: the loudest voices paint a picture of decline, crisis and chaos. But what if we took a step back? What if instead of fear driven narratives we looked at the data? That’s what Our World in Data does on a daily basis. Whether it’s tracking poverty over the last 200 years, mapping CO₂ emissions or analyzing the rise and fall of democracy, they present
10.8K viewsMar 17, 2025
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Most people think factory farming is just about animal cruelty. That’s only half the story.Behind the scenes, thousands of farmers are locked into massive debt, pushed into risky loans by giant corporations, and trapped in contracts that are almost impossible to escape. Many live below the poverty line. Suicide rates among farmers are devastatingly high.This system doesn’t just exploit animals — it exploits people. The frustrating part? This isn’t inevitable. It’s a political and economic choice
18.6K views4 months ago
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This isn’t left vs. right anymore. It’s not normal politics. One party is collapsing into a safe space for cranks, criminals, and insurrectionists. The other? It’s stuck saying all the right things—while getting little done. We don’t need more statements. More hashtags. More “awareness.” We need to win power. That means: 💥 Building coalitions (also with people you don’t like). 💥 Running for office (federal, state, local) 💥 Laser-focus on winning elections and on passing laws 💥 Don’t ‘check’
96.5K viewsMar 28, 2025
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Most folks don’t realize this, but the deadliest industry on Earth is perfectly legal. I’m talking about Big Tobacco. More than 8 million people die from smoking each year. That is more than all wars, natural disasters, and acts of terror combined. And no, this isn’t about choice. 80% of smokers start as children. Most want to quit. But the industry has spent decades engineering addiction — and selling it as freedom. At the School for Moral Ambition we have taken up the fight against Big Tobacco
4.1K views11 months ago
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I know, I know—I’m the last person you’d expect to praise a billionaire. But here we go. For decades, malaria has been one of the deadliest diseases in human history. Scientists knew as early as the 1980s that a vaccine was possible. So why did it take until now to develop one? Simple: the people dying from malaria were mostly poor. There was no major movement, no political urgency, no wealthy countries stepping up—unlike HIV/AIDS, where rich nations mobilized because their own citizens were aff
9.5K viewsApr 1, 2025
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So I hear Tucker Carlson, arguably the greatest hypocrite on the planet, is trying to make his comeback. Would love to be on his show again 😆 Here we have a man who decries the so-called "mainstream media" at every opportunity, only to turn around and conduct a propaganda interview with the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. A man who portrays himself as an 'outsider' even though he's a millionaire funded by billionaires.A man who privately confessed a profound loathing for Donald Trump, but now
165.4K viewsJul 26, 2024
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Throughout history we’ve seen many ordinary people become extraordinary. If you want to make a difference, it’s not really about whether you’re ‘cut out for it’ with your precise mix of personal traits. It’s not about who you are, it’s about who you can become. You don’t do good things because you’re a good person. You become a good person by doing good things. So lower your threshold for taking action. Get started. And once you’ve started, ask others to join in. Get started with my new book MOR
5.4K viewsMay 3, 2025
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One day, people will look back at us in horror. The question is: why? Every civilization in history believed they were on the right side of history. The Romans thought they were enlightened because they didn’t sacrifice children—yet they cheered as people were thrown before the lions in the Colosseum. We do the same thing today. We look back at history and judge past societies for their cruelty, their blind spots, their moral failures. Slavery, oppression, human rights abuses—we tell ourselves w
16K viewsApr 3, 2025
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‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Margaret Mead Loved talking to my friend @abigaildisney at the recent @patrioticmillionaires conference in Washington DC. | Rutger Bregman
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