Introduction to Byung-Chul Han and His Relevant Works
As vacations approach, it’s an ideal time to immerse oneself in reading and listening to music. In this period of leisure, I’d like to share some of the material that has captured my attention. Byung-Chul Han, a South Korean-German philosopher, is highly regarded and has authored over 15 books. Recently, in July, he was honored with the “Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities 2025.” His 2022 book, “Infocracia,” delves into the impact of information power on politics, online misinformation, and the use of bots to influence elections. Han examines how digitalization and the information regime threaten democracy through false news, conspiracy theories, and psychological manipulation of electoral behavior.
Key Insights from “Infocracia”
In just 103 pages, “Infocracia” is abundant with ideas that provoke deep contemplation. Here are some excerpts illustrating Han’s theories, many of which are concerning:
“Big Data and AI place the information regime in a position to influence our behavior below the threshold of consciousness. The information regime seizes those pre-reflective, instinctive, and emotional layers of behavior that precede conscious actions. Digital media make information domination possible.” (p. 23)
“Big Data and AI make more intelligent, even more rational decisions than human individuals, whose capacity to process large amounts of information is limited. From a data-driven perspective, digital rationality surpasses communicative rationality.” (p. 61)
“In the era of fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories, reality and factual truths tend to blur. Consequently, information circulates completely detached from reality, in a hyperreal space.” (p. 71)
“Conspiracy theories resist fact-checking because they are narratives that, despite their fictional nature, ground the perception of reality. Thus, they are a narrative of facts. In them, fictionalization turns into facticity. What matters is not facticity or the truth of facts, but the narrative’s coherence that makes it believable.” (p. 85)
Musical Indulgence with Yuja Wang
To balance the intellectual engagement of “Infocracia,” I indulged in some musical delights. The extraordinary 38-year-old Chinese-American pianist Yuja Wang is a remarkable blend of technical prowess and emotional expression. Her recent recording of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concertos No. 1 and No. 2 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra is a testament to her artistry.
Piano Concerto No. 1, premiered in 1933, is essentially a “double concerto” for piano and trumpet due to the latter’s solo-like significance. It took Shostakovich 24 years to compose Concerto No. 2, which is vastly different from its predecessor. The composer intended it to be a concerto for young pianists, thus avoiding technical complexities in the work.
Listening to these concertos performed by Yuja Wang is a genuine auditory pleasure.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Byung-Chul Han? Byung-Chul Han is a South Korean-German philosopher known for his insightful books on contemporary society, including “Infocracia.”
- What is “Infocracia” about? “Infocracia” examines the influence of information power on politics, online misinformation, and election manipulation through bots. It explores how digitalization and the information regime threaten democracy.
- Who is Yuja Wang? Yuja Wang is a renowned 38-year-old Chinese-American pianist celebrated for her technical skill and emotional depth.
- What are Shostakovich’s Piano Concertos? Dmitri Shostakovich composed two piano concertos, No. 1 in 1933 and No. 2 in 1950. Concerto No. 1 is essentially a double concerto for piano and trumpet, while Concerto No. 2 was intended to be more accessible for young pianists.
