In this episode of Psyche Podcast, I sit down with Erik Butler—the translator of Byung-Chul Han’s Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and the New Technologies of Power—to explore Han’s piercing critique of our digital age. Together, we trace the book’s philosophical roots in Foucault, Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Deleuze & Guattari, while unpacking Han’s distinction between biopolitics and psychopolitics, his analysis of the “achievement society,” and the paradox of self-optimization in a world of constant surveillance.

We dive into Han’s provocative call to embrace “idiotism,” a radical form of individuality that resists neoliberal demands for self-display, and consider the religious and mystical threads that run through his thought. Erik also shares insights from his work as a translator, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Han’s solitary life and difficult reputation, while we reflect on the book’s surprising relevance nearly a decade after its release.

Whether you’re new to Han or already captivated by his writings, this conversation offers a lively and accessible entry point into one of the most urgent philosophical diagnoses of our time.