PSYCHOPOLITICS - BYUNG-CHUL HAN

Everything is bad and i hate it…

That was my first reaction when I read this book and frankly… I still feel the same way. Han exposes the big problem with the modern age we live in. We have created out own self induced panopticon.

In the past when there was a need to oppress and censor the masses, there was the need for a massive initiative from the oppressor, whether it be a totalitarian regime or a business crushing soldarity amongst the workers. Now there is an even more insidious method at play. We have created a society where there is a unique online culture designed to keep us in our limits. Optimising yourself for the status quo may lead to untold riches and adoration, transgressing will make you a pariah and viewed as a threat to the ‘peaceful’ norm established to ensure the people are compliant and not thinking of any pesky revolutions which may disturb that which is.

I’ll be honest, I even feel weird writing this blog, what if the purpose I’m doing this is part of me trying to assimilate myself into that system and have just convinced myself I am being transgressive. Am I being observed by my own self monitored panopticon as I tell you about this? Is the allure of social media fame the real reason I’m doing this? Is that subconsciously the reason I talk about left-wing politics online? I don’t think so, but that is the scariest part… maybe I’m not aware of my own imprisonment.

Now if my mental breakdown that this book induced in me is something you are also interested in experiencing, you can get if from Bookshop and Waterstones but I will say it not for the feint of heart… so maybe give it as a gift for your enemy!