Byung-Chul Han: A Critique of the Shallow Achievement Society
2025-05-22
This article explores the critique of modern society offered by South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han. Han argues that we live in a shallow achievement society driven by the pressure of 'what we can do', leading to burnout and mental illness in the pursuit of ultimate success and self-gratification. He analyzes how this social mechanism causes crises in love, beauty, and entertainment, and criticizes the 'smoothness' of digital media for erasing negative experiences and authenticity. Han calls for people to break free from the pressure of achievement, embrace imperfection and negative experiences, and rediscover the essence of love and true entertainment.