Philosophize This! – Episode #188 … Achievement Society and the rise of narcissism, depression and anxiety – Byung-Chul Han

Intro

In this episode of “Philosophize This!”, the host explores the concept of the achievement society and its impact on narcissism, depression, and anxiety. Drawing from the ideas of philosopher Byung-Chul Han, the episode delves into the ways in which modern Western capitalist societies use positive power to control individuals and foster a culture of constant self-improvement. The podcast also touches on the role of technology, tribalism, and the importance of contemplative thinking in navigating this new societal landscape.

Main Takeaways

The Panopticon of Surveillance

• The entire globe is developing into a panopticon, with Google and social networks assuming panoptic forms.
• Today’s surveillance is not occurring as an attack on freedom, as is normally assumed.
• Freedom turns out to be a form of control.

The Pressure to Achieve

• In today’s modern Western capitalist societies, people are controlled through positive power.
• Positive power tells people that they can be whatever they want to be, but then places pressure on them to achieve and succeed.
• We are living in an achievement society, not a disciplinary society.

The Rise of Narcissism

• Authenticity is an ad campaign of neoliberalism that leads to narcissism.
• Practically everybody is their own little personal project, turning themselves into a commodity with market value.
• Neoliberal society funnels people into narcissism as a lane in life.

The Impact of Technology

• The internet enables further isolation and addiction, as people can easily click away from discomfort.
• Smartphones are a symbol of domination, comparable to a rosary or beads.
• Watching videos on TikTok and other channels that hack attention span lacks contemplation and depth, providing only surface-level experiences.

The Importance of Otherness

• What is missing from modern life that makes anxiety and depression more common is the presence of the other, difference, negativity, the hidden, and the imperfect.
• Tribalism is a problem in society, as people turn those who politically disagree with them into enemies instead of seeing them as people who agree on more things than they disagree on.
• True interaction with and consideration of the other is missing for a lot of people in today’s world, and this is what we need to work on.

Summary

The Panopticon of Surveillance

In the modern world, surveillance has taken on a new form through the dominance of Google and social networks. Rather than being an attack on freedom, this surveillance functions as a panopticon, exerting control over individuals. Freedom itself becomes a form of control, as people are constantly monitored and pressured to conform to societal expectations.

The Pressure to Achieve

In today’s capitalist societies, positive power is used to control individuals. People are told they can be whatever they want to be, but this comes with the expectation of achieving and succeeding. Society has transitioned from a disciplinary society to an achievement society, where the pressure to constantly improve and meet societal standards is pervasive.

The Rise of Narcissism

Neoliberalism promotes individualism and encourages people to constantly work on themselves to increase their market value. This self-obsession leads to the rise of narcissism, where individuals view themselves as commodities with market value. Authenticity, often touted as a positive trait, becomes an ad campaign for neoliberalism, further fueling narcissistic tendencies.

The Impact of Technology

The proliferation of technology, particularly smartphones and social media platforms, contributes to isolation and addiction. People can easily escape discomfort by clicking away, leading to a lack of true contemplation and depth in their experiences. The dominance of technology also symbolizes a form of domination and control, comparable to religious symbols like a rosary or beads.

The Importance of Otherness

Anxiety and depression have become more prevalent in modern society due to the absence of otherness, difference, and imperfection. Tribalism further exacerbates this issue, as people turn political disagreements into personal enmities. True interaction and consideration of the other are crucial for fostering connection and love in a world that values homogeneity and self-optimization.

Conclusion

By exploring the concept of the achievement society and its impact on narcissism, depression, and anxiety, this episode sheds light on the ways in which modern society exerts control over individuals. The constant pressure to achieve and the emphasis on self-improvement can lead to shallow narcissism and a lack of consideration for others. However, by reintroducing otherness and contemplative thinking into our lives, we can find balance and improve our situations. It is crucial to prioritize activities that bring joy and foster connection, rather than solely focusing on productivity and self-optimization.