# #136 Why Did The World Get So Ugly? - Alain de Botton

An episode of [Within Reason](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1458675168), 26 Dec 2025, 1 h 00 min.

Audio: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO6794310679.mp3

For early, ad-free access to videos, and to support the channel, subscribe to my Substack: https://www.alexoconnor.com. Alain de Botton is the creator of The School of Life. A Swiss-born British author and public speaker, his books discuss various contemporary subjects and themes, emphasising philosophy's relevance to everyday life. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Is the World Getting Uglier? (14:32) Is Beauty Right Wing? (28:33) Beauty Needs Context (31:17) How Music Ruins Everything (33:27) Our Taste Reflects What We're Missing in Life (44:34) Is There Such a Thing as "Fake Art"? CONNECT My Website: https://www.alexoconnor.com SOCIAL LINKS Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cosmicskeptic Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cosmicskeptic Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cosmicskeptic TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cosmicskeptic CONTACT Business email: contact@alexoconnor.com Brand enquiries: David@modernstoa.co

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