How to Deal with the Blahs

The School of Life is a London-based company “devoted to developing emotional intelligence through the help of culture.” Its best and worst qualities look a lot like the best and worst of its founder, the popularizing philosopher Alain de Botton. At best, witty, elegant and insightful. At worst, of the softheaded but seemingly sincere belief that a more manageable life is just a well-chosen Virginia Woolf quote away.