Episode #188 - Achievement Society and the rise of narcissism, depression and anxiety
Achievement Society
Key Takeaways:
Digital Panopticon and Voluntary Surveillance: Byung-chul Han describes a modern surveillance scenario where people voluntarily participate in a digital panopticon. In this setting, individuals reveal themselves online, becoming both perpetrators and victims in a new form of control.
Shift from Negative to Positive Power: Han contrasts the historical use of negative power, characterized by control through prohibition, with the modern use of positive power, which involves control through freedom of choice and self-optimization. This transition marks a move towards an "achievement society," emphasizing constant self-improvement as a form of self-control.
The Rise of Narcissism in Neoliberal Societies: Han argues that modern neoliberal societies lead individuals into narcissism. This phenomenon is not just a result of individual choices but is driven by the societal ethos that values self-obsession and personal achievement as the primary modes of living.
Technology and Loss of 'The Other': The discussion highlights how technology reinforces self-focus and isolation, leading to a crisis in connection and love. Han points out the lack of true interaction with 'the Other' in today’s world, resulting in a homogenization of experiences and perspectives.
Recommended Reading:
The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han (2015): Han explores the impact of competitive and service-oriented societies on individuals, leading to disorders ranging from depression to attention deficit disorder. He interprets the widespread malaise as an inability to manage negative experiences in an age of excessive positivity and universal availability.
Psychopolitics by Byung-Chul Han (2017): In this book, Han continues his critique of neoliberalism, exploring its use of the productive force of the psyche. He discusses neoliberalism's effects on our crisis of freedom and offers a phenomenology of emotion and theories on Big Data.
Topology of Violence by Byung-Chul Han (2018): Han examines the shift in violence from visible to invisible forms, analyzing how violence has evolved from brute force to mediated force, from the real to the virtual. The book integrates social and natural sciences to understand violence's impact on society.
See the full transcript here.
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