Towards a Less-Anxious Age

Article excerpt

Philosopher Byung-Chul Han argues that contemporary anxiety stems from relentless self-optimization and the erosion of shared meaning. Rather than chasing perpetual productivity, Han contends that people can find relief by cultivating hope, grounded not in individual achievement but in collective purpose and acceptance of human limitation. His philosophy suggests that a less-anxious future requires rejecting the performance culture that dominates modern life and reconnecting with what gives life intrinsic value beyond measurable outcomes.