"Fool's Gold"

Amid a world in upheaval, "Narrengold" poses the crucial question: What truly matters? The book, by Dr. Tobias Endler, reveals how media, politics, economics, societal expectations, and the pressure we place on ourselves manipulate our perception of success and lead us astray. It challenges us to question the true value of success—not in accordance with external expectations, but in harmony with our own well-being and the requirements of a modern social society. From the breathtaking pursuit of success, through self-deception, to the dangerous consequences of capitalism and societal manipulation, this book takes us on a journey through the myths and absurdities that define our success. It urges us to recognize the "Narrengold" and seek genuine values. "Narrengold" exposes the deceptive shine of perfect success and compellingly illustrates how our understanding of success has transformed over time into a dangerous trap. From classic ideals that emphasized prestige and status to the frantic chase for self-optimization, the normalization through selfie culture, and the supposed individuality that is often just an illusion. As the world heads toward a crisis, we too rarely question the success myths we tirelessly pursue.

About the author: Dr. Tobias Endler, born in 1978, is a political scientist and Americanist. He completed his doctorate on the current foreign policy debate in the USA and has taught and researched for many years at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies, Yale University (USA), and the University of Cologne. Tobias Endler is regularly sought after as a political expert in the media, including ZDF, DLF, RTL, NBC, funk, FAZ, Handelsblatt, and The European; he also participates in the prestigious M100 Media Colloquium, the annual exchange forum for German, European, and American media, politics, and economics.