Change course

Involution comes from a Latin word that, in a physical sense, means to roll or turn inward - when an organ retreats to its former shape. It was popularised by American anthropologist Clifford Geertz to describe economic or cultural stagnation despite increasing effort.

The Chinese term for involution, 'neijuan', was initially used by young people who saw it as soul- crushing ennui from deadening office work with diminishing returns, forever pursuing a Sisyphean rock. This led to questioning the rationale behind a futile, self- defeating grind - from academic years to the job-hunting stage - often without work-life balance.

It promoted a culture where everyone is expected to keep ahead of everyone else. Anthropologist Xiang Biao sees it as a 'dead loop in which people constantly face themselves, and a race that participants are not allowed to fail or exit'.


Parents ensure that their children do not fall back on the social ladder, nurturing one-upmanship from the daycare level, and the young and ambitious bagging that coveted job after back-breaking hours of study and immediately eyeing the C-suite, spending excruciating hours in the office. This self-exploitation often results in burnout and reflection on the very meaning of pursuit of success.

People are not defined by their capacity to work alone. Hard work and individual will do not guarantee a great destiny. It is up to us to change course and be guided by simplicity, compassion, contentment and spiritual enrichment.