Życie jako projekt: Understanding Self-Improvement and the Concept of Endless Work on Oneself

This event, part of the 'Science Explains the World' series, discusses why many areas of life are treated as projects and constant work on oneself. It draws from Michał Mokrzan's book 'Class, Capital, and Coaching in the Era of Late Capitalism' to explore modern self-development practices.

This meeting, titled 'Life as a Project: On (Endless) Work on Oneself,' is part of the 'Science Explains the World' series, featuring discussions with the Foundation for Polish Science. The event delves into why contemporary life often treats aspects like sleep hygiene, healthy hormones, relationships, social media presence, and networking as ongoing projects requiring constant self-improvement. It questions whether this 'work on oneself' is a choice or an expectation and if everyone experiences it uniformly. The discussion is prompted by Michał Mokrzan's book 'Class, Capital, and Coaching in the Era of Late Capitalism' (FNP Monographs, 2019), which examines how modern development practices encourage continuous self-work on emotions, thinking, relationships, and potential. Participants will consider how the language of work has permeated previously unrelated life areas and how activities like rest, health, and relationships are now subject to planning, optimization, and outcome measurement. The conversation will address the rising expectations for emotional and social competencies beyond professional ones, who can meet them, and the consequences of such an approach to self and life. The differing experiences of 'work on oneself' based on social position, including the opportunities and limitations it presents, will also be explored.