What’s in your bag, Alain de Botton?

  • PHOTOS DIRK BRUNIECKI

The Swiss author, 47, has published popular science books, such as The Art of Travel and Religion for Atheists, which convey philosophical ideas in a way that is easy to understand. In 2008, he founded the School of Life in London, where he teaches philosophy. Lufthansa Magazin peeked into de Botton’s bag at Munich Airport.

Alain de Botton at Munich Airport
© Dirk Bruniecki

1 Pills
I used to be very nervous before speaking in front of an audience. Then a violinist recommended these pills for stage fright and now I stay cool. 

 

2 Notepad
I get my best ideas when I’m traveling, especially  when I fly, so I like to jot them down before they evaporate above the clouds. 

 

3 Hat
It’s bad enough having so little hair left on my head, I don’t want to get sunburned as well. That’s why I never go anywhere without my hat..

 

Alain de Bottons Booklist

 

 The Wisdom of Life – Arthur Schopenhauer

Human, All Too Human – Friedrich Nietzsche

The Sorrows of Young Werther – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

For more about Alain de Botton, visit alaindebotton.com