The Burnout Society is a slim but potent philosophical essay by Byung-Chul Han, clocking in at just 60 pages. Despite its brevity, it delivers a sharp critique of contemporary life, particularly the psychological toll of neoliberalism, hyper-productivity, and the cult of positivity. Han argues that today’s society no longer represses individuals through external authority, but rather exhausts them through internalised pressure to perform, achieve, and optimise.

Written in a clear, aphoristic style, the book blends philosophy, sociology, and cultural theory with references to thinkers like Heidegger, Foucault, and Arendt. Han’s central thesis is that modern individuals are burning out not because they are oppressed, but because they are over-engaged. They are constantly pushed to be their own taskmasters. It’s a short read, but one that lingers long after you’ve closed the cover.