When Luigi Mangione was arrested for the alleged murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in December 2024, public reaction shocked observers. Far from universal condemnation, many people expressed support. This was especially true among younger people, with polls showing 41% of young adults viewed the murder as acceptable.
So what leads the average person to justify extreme violence? Our recently published research, in the special issue “Understanding violent extremism” of the APA Journal Psychology of Violence, locates the answer in one increasingly widespread phenomenon: workplace burnout.
Mangione’s manifesto cites “corruption and greed” as a source of frustration, a sentiment that resonates widely amid growing dissatisfaction with modern work environments. Recent research shows that broader patterns of systemic frustration and perceived corruption are associated with burnout.
Our study, which took daily surveys from over 600 employees, suggests burnout may quietly fuel worrying attitudes – specifically, the potential justification of violent extremism – towards the perceived source of their distress.
I like the article, but it seemed like the point of the article was basically like,
“yo fascists, ease up off the neck of your wage slavers so that they can wage slave harder without feeling distress.” additionally,“if you grind them so hard, that’s ultimately inefficient for your capitalistic needs.”
so I don’t know… sounds like a real good tip for Henry Ford
Only 41%? C’mon, we can do better!
When they keep their boots pressed firmly against our necks, it’s not extremism. When we respond, it is.
I don’t find that extreme at all. What I find extreme is a system that robs us of our time, quality of life, and actively kills us.
Good for the European workplace, here in the US people are tired of being bent over a barrel for over two decades and the rich lying to us about why. But sure, make an excuse and call it ‘burnout’ instead.
