In Lauren Oyler’s essay about anxiety last week, she referenced a late 19th century diagnosis known as Americanitis, which described “the high-strung, nervous, active temperament of the American people.” Whether incited by advances in technology (causing loss of sleep, excessive worry) or capitalism (causing long work days, fast pace of life), the result was, according to experts of the time, a rattled population unable to relax. A black mirror of the American dream, Americanitis took the same ideas favored by patriots and recast them as depressing. Here is the land of possibilities—so vast in scale you’ll forever be unsatisfied!

In Lauren Oyler’s essay about anxiety last week, she referenced a late 19th century diagnosis known as Americanitis , which described “the high-strung, nervous, active temperament of the American people.” Whether incited by advances in technology (causing loss of sleep, excessive worry) or capitalism (causing long work days, fast pace of life), the result was, according to experts of the time, a rattled population unable to relax. A black mirror of the American dream, Americanitis took the same ideas favored by patriots and recast them as depressing. Here is the land of possibilities—so vast in scale you’ll forever be unsatisfied!

Haley Nahman • #172: Trick questions

Saved by Lani Assaf and

RelatedCollections

Dude, where’s my 22nd century? – On the Burnout of Future Images

Jess Henderson march.international

Nor is burnout solely an American phenomenon. From the “lying flat” movement in China to outcries against deaths from overwork in Japan and South Korea, there is a growing sense of indignation in wealthy countries about inhumane work ideals that turn prosperity into a curse.

The Baffler • The New Neurasthenia

Driven by ultra-capitalistic incentives, the incessant pursuit of productivity and perfection combined with external, never-ending stimuli results in burnout and anxiety, the symptoms of an overloaded nervous system.

Matt Yao • More Human Possible

In a survey of over +1,300 young adults (18-34) in the U.S. nearly all (96%) report experiencing anxiety in their lives today. And nearly half (46%) say they experience it “frequently” or “all the time.”

ZINE • Me, You, Culture & Anxiety

Faced with a name like the Terrible Twenties, many people might point out that humans today are in some ways far better off than they’ve ever been: life expectancies are up, on the whole, compared with a century ago (though they dipped during the pandemic); extreme poverty has sharply declined. It seems possible, though, that both interpretations a

Dude, where’s my 22nd century? – On the Burnout of Future Images

The Baffler • The New Neurasthenia

Matt Yao • More Human Possible

ZINE • Me, You, Culture & Anxiety

Kyle Chayka • The Terrible Twenties? The Assholocene? What to Call Our Chaotic Era