Burnout

In this episode of Overthink, co-hosts Ellie Anderson and David Peña-Guzman delve into the concept of burnout, exploring its historical roots, its evolution in meaning, and its connection to contemporary capitalist culture. They begin with a mini burnout self-test and then discuss Christina Maslach's burnout inventory, highlighting the three categories of burnout: exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal achievement. They trace the term's origins with psychoanalyst Herbert Freudenberger and discuss Hannah Proctor's book, which emphasizes burnout among those seeking social justice. The hosts analyze Byung-Chul Han's "The Burnout Society," focusing on the achievement society and auto-exploitation. They also discuss potential solutions to burnout, distinguishing between individual strategies and the need for systemic change, while also considering the role of activism and the importance of acknowledging individual well-being within collective movements.