Philosopher Byung-Chul Han discusses how digital culture and the superficial nature of social media are negatively impacting authentic love and relationships.
In contemporary society, Byung-Chul Han critiques how a digital culture prioritizes virtual interactions over real relationships. He emphasizes that modern communication, dominated by social media, reduces connections to rapid, quantifiable exchanges such as likes and followers, which lack depth and authenticity. This shift towards superficiality is detrimental to the essence of true love.
Han warns that love risks becoming commodified in a market-driven environment, where it is chosen, discarded, and replaced based on efficiency and immediate satisfaction. He draws on philosophical concepts, particularly the notion of 'Eros' as described by Plato, to highlight how the current cultural landscape alters the dynamics of desire and emotional connections. The lack of negativity, as he states, leads to a stagnation of love, preventing it from developing and evolving.
In his brief essay "The Agony of Eros" (2021), Han further articulates the crisis of desire in digital relationships. He expresses concern that by continuously seeking instant gratification through the lens of social platforms, individuals may lose the ability to form deep, meaningful connections, ultimately leading to the atrophy of love itself. This thought-provoking analysis invites readers to reconsider the impact of technology on their own relationships and the ways they express affection in an increasingly digital world.
