Introduction

We live in an age of boundless opportunity, where the possibilities for self-actualization seem endless. Gone are the days when our grandparents were simply told to work in a factory, have kids, and obey authority. Today, we can become CEOs, entrepreneurs, social media influencers – the world is our oyster. All we have to do is hustle, grind, and we’ll be rich and successful in no time. Or so we’re told…

But beneath this shiny veneer of endless potential lies a darker truth. German philosopher Byung-Chul Han warns that our capitalist society is leading humanity towards a state of collective burnout. In his book “The Burnout Society,” Han examines the effects of this “achievement society” and why people are more exhausted and disconnected than ever before.

From Discipline to Achievement

Han notes a significant shift in what motivates us, particularly in the realms of work, self-improvement, and social interactions. In the past, external forces like punishment and strict rules dictated people’s behavior. But now, we are internally driven. It’s not about obedience to authority or serving the greater good (for the most part); it’s about taking control of our own lives to achieve, self-optimize, and excel.

Han describes this transition from a “disciplinary society” to an “achievement society.” The grim, authoritarian world of hospitals, prisons, and factories has been replaced by fitness centers, office towers, and shopping malls – a celebrated illusion of freedom and boundless opportunity. But as Han makes clear, this new “freedom” is illusory. We’re not truly free; we’ve simply traded one form of confinement for another.

The Modern Workplace: Demanding and Competitive

One of the other key factors contributing to burnout is the modern workplace. Employees are often expected to work long hours, juggle multiple responsibilities, and meet unrealistic deadlines. The pressure to perform, coupled with the fear of falling behind, creates a perfect storm for burnout.

The Tyranny of Positivity

One of the fundamental differences between the disciplinary and achievement societies is what Han calls the “negativity of Should” versus the “positivity of Can.” In the past, there was an external force telling us what to do, imposing rules and restrictions. But now, the imperative to achieve has become internalized. We are our own masters, our own slave drivers, pushing ourselves to work harder and be better.

This “positivity of Can” is more effective than the “negativity of Should,” as Han observes. We’ve become our own labor camps, embodying both the guard and the prisoner. Intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation, but it also leads to a profound exhaustion known as burnout.

The Exhaustion of Self-Exploitation

The idea of having the freedom to do and be anything we want is enthralling. But this endless pursuit of self-optimization and achievement often leads to self-exploitation and unrealistic expectations. We constantly apply pressure to ourselves, setting the bar higher and higher, never quite measuring up to the idealized version of ourselves we’ve constructed.

Han describes this as a form of “auto-exploitation” – we are both the exploiter and the exploited, the perpetrator and the victim. The achievement subject is a “modern animal” who grinds themselves down to exhaustion, without any external constraints. The failure to attain the ideal image leads to self-aggression, as we beat ourselves up with self-imposed demands and stress.

The Rise of the Multitasker

The achievement society also fosters a culture of hyperattention and multitasking. We’ve become a “species of multitaskers,” proud of our ability to juggle countless responsibilities and switch between tasks at a breakneck pace. But this scattershot approach to attention comes at a cost.

Han argues that the overstimulated, hyper-connected environment of the modern achievement society doesn’t allow for the deep contemplation and focus required to produce truly profound, creative work. Instead, we’re relegated to repetitive, superficial tasks that only demand a surface-level engagement. We’ve regressed into a more animalistic state, sacrificing our uniquely human capacity for contemplation in the name of productivity and self-optimization.

Narcissism and the Erosion of Community

As we’ve become increasingly focused on ourselves and our own achievement, our connections with the broader community have suffered. Friendships and other meaningful relationships have become fleeting and transactional, reduced to a means of feeding our own narcissism.

In social networks, our “friends” serve primarily to heighten our ego, granting attention to the self-exhibited as a commodity. The greater cause is no longer a communal one, but rather the unending pursuit of the “project we call ‘me.'” This self-absorption and self-obsession come at the expense of our mental health and well-being.

Embracing Negativity as Resistance

So, what can we do to shield ourselves from the ravages of the achievement society? Byung-Chul Han’s book doesn’t offer a practical, step-by-step guide, but it does suggest that we need to embrace more “negativity” in our lives as a form of resistance.

Han speaks of the “vita contemplativa,” or the contemplative life, which involves actively protecting our minds from the excess positivity and stimuli that bombard us. This means taking real breaks, not just mindless binge-watching or scrolling through social media. It’s about allowing ourselves to experience “being” rather than constant “doing,” to engage in the profound idleness that fosters creativity.

Waiting, boredom, and other forms of negativity are not to be feared, but rather embraced as a means of reclaiming our attention and our humanity. In a society that worships health and aesthetics as the new “gods,” we must remember that there is more to life than mere survival and self-optimization. It’s time to reclaim the richness and complexity of what it means to be human.

Other Causes of Burnout