The Burnout Society
The Burnout Society
Byung-Chul Han
Brit Marling
I loved [this book]. - Brit Marling
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The Burnout Society

The Burnout Society

Byung-Chul Han
By
Byung-Chul Han
3.9
17391
ratings on Goodreads

In "The Burnout Society," Byung-Chul Han delves into the shadowy side of our ceaselessly industrious, service-driven societies, casting a discerning light on the contemporary epidemic of mental and emotional exhaustion. With piercing insight, Han unravels the complex web of factors contributing to a widespread state of burnout, attributing it not merely to individual failings but to a profound societal malaise. The narrative compellingly argues that the incessant demands for efficiency, the ubiquity of 'user-friendly' technology, and a culture obsessed with convenience and positive affirmation have fostered conditions ripe for disorders ranging from depression to attention deficit disorder, and beyond. Han's exploration is not just a critique but a profound inquiry into the human cost of relentless productivity and the illusion of constant connectivity. Through a rich tapestry of references to literature, philosophy, and both the social and natural sciences, Han offers a multifaceted perspective on the crisis of the late-modern individual. He challenges the reader to confront the paradox of a world where excessive positivity and the democratization of access paradoxically engender feelings of inadequacy and disconnection. "The Burnout Society" is a clarion call to resist the allure of ceaseless engagement and to rediscover the value of reflection, solitude, and genuine human connection. It is a critical reflection on our times, urging a collective reckoning with the unsustainable pace of life and the imperative to reclaim our mental and emotional well-being from the clutches of a disempowering societal model.

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Released
2010
4 Oct
Length
60
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

I loved [this book]. - Brit Marling
The complaint of the depressive individual, “Nothing is possible,” can only occur in a society that thinks, “Nothing is impossible.
— Byung-Chul Han, The Burnout Society

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