Steven Knepper, a philosophy professor at the Virginia Military Institute, explores the modern malaise of burnout and boredom through the lens of Byung-Chul Han's thought. He discusses the alarming concept of 'auto-exploitation' in our achievement-driven culture and critiques the 'palliative society' that shuns suffering. Knepper emphasizes the importance of rituals, genuine relationships, and embracing profound boredom as remedies for our contemporary struggles, urging a deeper connection to life's mysteries instead of succumbing to digital distractions.
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insights INSIGHT
Burnout Society Explained
Byung-Chul Han diagnoses the "achievement society" where endless possibilities compel us to constantly overachieve.
This relentless push causes burnout despite more nominal free time than prior generations.
insights INSIGHT
Positive Violence and Auto-Exploitation
Positive violence is self-imposed pressure to achieve, contrasting with external coercion labeled negative violence.
This shift fuels an exhausting culture of auto-exploitation where we push ourselves relentlessly.
insights INSIGHT
Tired From Self-Defeat
People today are "tired from not being able to be themselves" due to ego-driven self-maximization.
This egotism severs rich connections with others and undercuts genuine fulfillment.
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Byung-Chul Han interprets the widespread malaise in modern society as an inability to manage negative experiences in an age characterized by excessive positivity and the universal availability of people and goods. He argues that the shift from a disciplinary society to an achievement society, where individuals are driven by self-monitoring and the desire to achieve, leads to auto-exploitation and burnout. Han draws on literature, philosophy, and the social and natural sciences to explore the consequences of sacrificing intermittent intellectual reflection for constant neural connection and the impact of hyperattention and multitasking on mental health and culture.
Shop class as soulcraft
an inquiry into the value of work
Matthew Crawford
Matthew B. Crawford
In 'Shop Class as Soulcraft,' Matthew B. Crawford argues that the manual trades offer a unique form of intellectual and personal satisfaction. He critiques modern society's emphasis on 'knowledge work' and the devaluation of manual labor, highlighting the cognitive demands and personal fulfillment that come from working with one's hands. Crawford draws on his own experiences as a motorcycle mechanic and philosopher to illustrate the importance of craftsmanship, self-reliance, and the integration of thinking and doing in meaningful work. The book challenges consumerist culture and advocates for a more humane economy that values and rewards meaningful labor[1][3][4].
The World Beyond Your Head
On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction
Matthew Crawford
Matthew B. Crawford
In 'The World Beyond Your Head', Matthew B. Crawford investigates the intense focus of various professionals such as ice hockey players, short-order chefs, and organ builders, as well as the behaviors of gambling addicts. He argues that our current attention crisis is a result of certain assumptions in Western culture that are at odds with human nature. Crawford emphasizes the importance of embodied, social, and situated experiences in forming the self and argues that genuine agency comes from voluntary submission to realities beyond one's own head. The book has implications for how we raise children, design public spaces, and understand democracy[2][4][6].
The Palliative Society
Pain Today
Byung-Chul Han
In *The Palliative Society*, Byung-Chul Han critiques modern society's pervasive fear of pain, or algophobia, and its reliance on palliative remedies that mask pain without addressing its underlying causes. Han argues that this avoidance of pain leads to a culture of superficial positivity, social alienation, and stagnation, preventing genuine change or revolution. The book explores pain from various philosophical perspectives, highlighting its role in revealing truth and fostering empathy.
A Critical Introduction to Byung-Chul Han
None
Ethan Stoneman
Steven E. Knepper
Robert Wyllie
This book likely provides an in-depth analysis of Byung-Chul Han's philosophical contributions, including his critiques of modern society and his concepts of burnout and transparency. It would explore Han's influence on contemporary thought and his unique approach to philosophy.
Feelings of burnout and boredom have become prevalent in modern life. To understand the roots of and solutions to these issues, we can turn to both ancient philosophers and contemporary thinkers. Among the latter is Korean-German philosopher Byung-Chul Han, whose thought-provoking analyses are gaining increasing recognition.
If you’re not yet familiar with Han’s philosophy, Steven Knepper, a professor at the Virginia Military Institute and the co-author of a new critical introduction to this modern philosopher’s work, will take us on a tour of some of Han’s key ideas. In the first part of our conversation, Steven unpacks Han’s concept of the “burnout society” and why so many of us feel tired from participating in what he calls “auto-exploitation” and “positive violence.” We then discuss how our burnout society is also a “palliative society” that tries to avoid suffering at all costs and how our obsession with health has turned us into a modern version of Nietzsche’s “last man.” We end our discussion with some of Han’s ideas for resisting the pitfalls of modernity, including embracing ritual, contemplation, and an openness to the mystery of others.
The Art of Manliness 
