Byung-Chul Han - The disappearance of thinking!

In 'Poetics,' Aristotle discusses the nature of poetry, defining it as a form of imitation (mimesis) that uses language, rhythm, and harmony. He categorizes poetry into genres such as epic, tragedy, comedy, and dithyrambic poetry, and analyzes the components of a successful poetic work, including plot, character, thought, diction, song, and spectacle. The work is primarily concerned with tragedy, exploring its structure and the emotional release it provides through catharsis. Aristotle defends poetry against common objections and provides insights into the aesthetic principles and the role of art in human experience.

Byung-Chul Han interprets the widespread malaise in modern society as an inability to manage negative experiences in an age characterized by excessive positivity and the universal availability of people and goods. He argues that the shift from a disciplinary society to an achievement society, where individuals are driven by self-monitoring and the desire to achieve, leads to auto-exploitation and burnout. Han draws on literature, philosophy, and the social and natural sciences to explore the consequences of sacrificing intermittent intellectual reflection for constant neural connection and the impact of hyperattention and multitasking on mental health and culture.