In The Burnout Society, Byung-Chul Han explores how individuals in modern capitalist societies face pressure to constantly achieve and self-optimize, leading to mental exhaustion and burnout. The text examines the impact of pervasive performance demands on personal well-being, highlighting a shift from disciplinary society to achievement society, where individuals become their own oppressors.

Informative

Contemplative

Challenging

Mysterious

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

22,147 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Byung-Chul Han's The Burnout Society offers a compelling analysis of contemporary life, critiquing the relentless pursuit of achievement. Reviewers appreciate Han's philosophical depth and clear prose, though some find his arguments repetitive and lacking in actionable solutions. The book stands out for its timely reflection on modern stress and self-exploitation.

Who Should Read The Burnout Society?

A reader who enjoys The Burnout Society by Byung-Chul Han is likely interested in contemporary social theory and critiques of modern life. Fans of Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish or Shoshana Zuboff's The Age of Surveillance Capitalism would appreciate its thought-provoking analysis of the mental health impacts of neoliberalism.

4.1

22,147 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Fun Facts

The Burnout Society is authored by Byung-Chul Han, a South Korean-born German philosopher who is known for his work on social theory, media theory, and the critique of contemporary culture.

The book was originally published in German under the title Müdigkeitsgesellschaft in 2010 and later translated into several languages, bringing Han's ideas to a wider international audience.

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Byung-Chul Han is also known for his minimalistic writing style, often using brief yet impactful observations to critique modern society and its impact on individual well-being.

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Book Details

Pages

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Genre

Self-Improvement

•

Philosophy

•

Psychology

Setting

Contemporary