Are We Too Busy to Care? MIT Faculty on Work That Matters | Cullen Buie & Desireé Plata

Cullen Buie (MIT) and Desireé Plata (MIT) explore how to find purpose and meaning in your work beyond personal success. | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 03/12/2026 | Explore more at https://www.veritas.org. Speakers: Cullen Buie - Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Desireé Plata - School of Engineering Distinguished Climate and Energy Professor, Director of Parsons Laboratory at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Moderator: Mia Chung-Yee - Founder & Executive Director, Octet Collaborative Want Veritas updates in your inbox? Subscribe to our twice-monthly newsletter here: https://www.veritas.org/newsletter-yt INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/veritasforum FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/veritasforum PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-veritas-forum/id1210782509 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=VeritasForum Over the past two decades, The Veritas Forum has been hosting vibrant discussions on life's hardest questions and engaging the world's leading colleges and universities with Christian perspectives and the relevance of Jesus. Learn more at http://www.veritas.org, with upcoming events and over 600 pieces of media on topics including science, philosophy, music, business, medicine, and more! 0:00 Introduction 2:51 A Day in the Life: MIT Faculty on Busyness & Family 6:36 When Did Your Work Become About More Than Success? 12:31 The Hidden Work MIT Doesn't Count 17:09 How Do You Avoid Burnout as an Academic? 22:24 Mentors Who Modeled Purpose, Not Just Productivity 25:53 How to Push Students Without Crushing Them 32:37 Faith, Family & Work: Ordering Your Priorities 40:21 What to Tell Students Who Are Afraid to Care 45:16 Q&R - Balancing Productive Work With Selfish Ambition 50:44 Q&R - Is Work-Life Balance Only Possible With Tenure 54:56 Q&R - Can You Care Too Much 57:07 Q&R - Where Does Service to the World Fit Your Priorities 1:00:35 Q&R - Caring About Global Conflicts Without Losing Energy 1:03:54 Q&R - Balancing the Urgency of Faith With Productivity 1:09:36 Q&R - Habits and Disciplines to Keep Priorities in Order 1:11:22 Closing