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Affluenza: How Overconsumption Is Killing Us and How to Fight Back
NEW EDITION, REVISED AND UPDATED
affluenza, n. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more.
We tried to warn you! The 2008 economic collapse proved how resilient and dangerous affluenza can be. Now in its third edition, this book can safely be called prophetic in showing how problems ranging from loneliness, endless working hours, and family conflict to rising debt, environmental pollution, and rampant commercialism are all symptoms of this global plague.
The new edition traces the role overconsumption played in the Great Recession, discusses new ways to measure social health and success (such as the Gross Domestic Happiness index), and offers policy recommendations to make our society more simplicity-friendly. The underlying message isn’t to stop buying—it’s to remember, always, that the best things in life aren’t things.
affluenza, n. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more.
We tried to warn you! The 2008 economic collapse proved how resilient and dangerous affluenza can be. Now in its third edition, this book can safely be called prophetic in showing how problems ranging from loneliness, endless working hours, and family conflict to rising debt, environmental pollution, and rampant commercialism are all symptoms of this global plague.
The new edition traces the role overconsumption played in the Great Recession, discusses new ways to measure social health and success (such as the Gross Domestic Happiness index), and offers policy recommendations to make our society more simplicity-friendly. The underlying message isn’t to stop buying—it’s to remember, always, that the best things in life aren’t things.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
113 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 18, 2024
Outdated. Sloppy. The author reveals how Americans constantly consume more of everything (shocker). However, the data is at least ten years old—consumerism has now been shaped and even more exaggerated by social media and the pandemic.
Despite the dated data, I nonetheless hoped for greater philosophical insights. Why do we consume so much even if it doesn't make us happy? Why is our identity mostly tied to things we own? Why do we fall for the trap over and over again?
Sadly, the author failed to answer my questions—his insights lacked depth. Also, the writing style was annoying and too casual for the topic. Nonetheless, the book may still benefit a beginner curious about the growth of consumption culture in the USA.
"Tragedy," observes Swenson, "is wanting something badly, getting it, and finding it empty."
Despite the dated data, I nonetheless hoped for greater philosophical insights. Why do we consume so much even if it doesn't make us happy? Why is our identity mostly tied to things we own? Why do we fall for the trap over and over again?
Sadly, the author failed to answer my questions—his insights lacked depth. Also, the writing style was annoying and too casual for the topic. Nonetheless, the book may still benefit a beginner curious about the growth of consumption culture in the USA.
"Tragedy," observes Swenson, "is wanting something badly, getting it, and finding it empty."
December 15, 2014
I feel like cleaning out a closet.
I also feel embarrassed......
I also feel embarrassed......
December 24, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4.
These men really said " There is no ethical consumption under capitalism but YOU DON'T NEED TO CONSUME THIS MUCH" and I love it 😂😂😂
These men really said " There is no ethical consumption under capitalism but YOU DON'T NEED TO CONSUME THIS MUCH" and I love it 😂😂😂
November 3, 2014
I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads win.
I read the first version of this years ago and found it thought provoking and inspiring. It prompted some hard thinking about the point at which I feel I'm working too much with not enough personal gain, and the hours I'm willing to put in for a wage versus what I enjoy doing with my life. All those years ago I realized that more than 30 hours is not time I want to put in for a wage w/ decreasing returns in satisfaction and connection to my family & my community.
Here, years later, I got a chance to read the 3rd Mutation of this book and realize that while I've never budged from my willingness to work more than 30 hours a week, I spend 10 hours a week driving to & from that job. Once again I'm looking at my life and questioning what I can tweak to find more satisfaction in my life, more connectivity with those in my life, more interaction with my community.
The one down-side I found in this book is the lack of ideas for how to get the members of one's family to accept and adjust to fewer consumption-related activities and more connetion and interaction with our society.
I read the first version of this years ago and found it thought provoking and inspiring. It prompted some hard thinking about the point at which I feel I'm working too much with not enough personal gain, and the hours I'm willing to put in for a wage versus what I enjoy doing with my life. All those years ago I realized that more than 30 hours is not time I want to put in for a wage w/ decreasing returns in satisfaction and connection to my family & my community.
Here, years later, I got a chance to read the 3rd Mutation of this book and realize that while I've never budged from my willingness to work more than 30 hours a week, I spend 10 hours a week driving to & from that job. Once again I'm looking at my life and questioning what I can tweak to find more satisfaction in my life, more connectivity with those in my life, more interaction with my community.
The one down-side I found in this book is the lack of ideas for how to get the members of one's family to accept and adjust to fewer consumption-related activities and more connetion and interaction with our society.
December 2, 2022
While the underlying idea of less consumption and simpler living is nice, that’s not what the authors seem to focus on.
Rather, it’s a compilation of complaints and negativity about any big company, growth, or development. Anything outside of living like a hippy on an organic farm could be deemed excessive.
Of particular annoyance is that they support questionable causes, quoting Karl Marx and advertising for Mud Jeans, a high end jeans leasing company. Really? Like that isn’t wasteful.
In short, I found the authors hypocritical and out of touch with most working Americans. There is some partisan political commenting too which is unnecessary. Simpler living is a good idea but you won’t get it here.
Rather, it’s a compilation of complaints and negativity about any big company, growth, or development. Anything outside of living like a hippy on an organic farm could be deemed excessive.
Of particular annoyance is that they support questionable causes, quoting Karl Marx and advertising for Mud Jeans, a high end jeans leasing company. Really? Like that isn’t wasteful.
In short, I found the authors hypocritical and out of touch with most working Americans. There is some partisan political commenting too which is unnecessary. Simpler living is a good idea but you won’t get it here.
April 22, 2021
”Overconsumption”. People have been trained to recognize this as a quantitative estimation. It is not. It is not a qualitative estimation either. It is a moral estimation of some leeches that will try to kill you if you want to give the blessing of the simple Dalit life to them or their offspring. It is about leeches who like their lives very much, and would deem anything above that as ”overconsumption”. So anything below that is equally unacceptable, although most people in the World have to live with far less than these entitled brats.
May 19, 2022
A fantastic book, going through a wide range of cause of our affluent culture, and why its killing the human spirit. Either personal, political or corporate, it webs how several aspects of Western culture upholds affluence.
The best part is, it gives answers both theoretical and practical.
If you like social, political, and ecological reads; this one is a must.
Downside, it's mainly targeted towards USA.
The best part is, it gives answers both theoretical and practical.
If you like social, political, and ecological reads; this one is a must.
Downside, it's mainly targeted towards USA.
October 5, 2017
Detailed and pragmatic analysis, if not a bit of overkill on some of the metaphors and little quips.
The chapter near the end on suggested remedies and policy changes was my favorite—they suggest some very innovative ideas.
Definitely has me thinking more about limiting consumption and getting more out of the non-material things in life that really matter!
The chapter near the end on suggested remedies and policy changes was my favorite—they suggest some very innovative ideas.
Definitely has me thinking more about limiting consumption and getting more out of the non-material things in life that really matter!
April 6, 2021
A fantastic read concerning the issues of consumerism, their causes, and how to cure yourself of a consumption mindset. This book inspired me to finally rid myself of unnecessary items and live minimally, limiting myself. This pairs well with Thoreau’s Walden and other books in the vein of self-reliance.
December 30, 2017
Some of the examples are outdated and it felt like it took too long building up the case against consumerism but not enough time giving practical advice on how to live differently. Also felt too "scolding" when discussing wealth.
December 16, 2019
A superb warning to this generation of consumerists. Environmental consequences suffering today are the effects of Affluenza. Writers put too much information while some are redundant, however, it reminds us to reduce our consumerism to save the earth.
September 19, 2020
Definitely all true, and a book I think many people should read. I feel already pretty thrifty, but I know I can reduce my consumer habits to save even more money and free up more time for things that matter. This book makes me want to move to Europe haha
February 10, 2019
Should be required reading. Thoughtful and well researched. Brilliant.
February 10, 2022
Great and simple book about overconsumption with a number of humorous moments. I only wish more people actually read it and understood the meaning of it.
December 5, 2023
This is an excellent, well-researched book on overconsumption in America. It's thought-provoking and challenges the reader's perspective on their own personal consumption.
October 22, 2024
A little short on actual details, but a fascinating polemic.
April 10, 2025
Would be really nice to have an updated version— but a necessary read nonetheless.
May 29, 2025
Loved this book. It would be a good book to require for all high school students. Thought provoking, eye opening on the world we live. Will definitely read again and recommend to fellow book lovers.
April 18, 2016
Simply put the book examines how as a culture America has seen productivity gains of about 2000 percent since the industrial revolution took hold here. We have more than ever materially, yet we as a people insist upon upping our productivity and gaining more materially while not getting any happier. This book is an attempt to convince the reader that less is often time more and that personal journeys and time to enjoy life are far more valuable than an increasing GDP and a Rolex. And such time is even better spent, if we can conserve the nature around us to enjoy it.
It may be common sense, but I think it is common sense that we all forget, from time to time. I recommend this book as a wake up call and an examination of conscience.
It may be common sense, but I think it is common sense that we all forget, from time to time. I recommend this book as a wake up call and an examination of conscience.
March 2, 2014
Interesting. Live simply, relinquish materialism, learn to find more fulfilling pleasure in nature and giving, rather than buying and the moremoremore mentality.
January 22, 2015
This was an interesting read. I don't really suffer from affluenza, but I am not very good at reducing my environmental footprint. Now how to make sure my son won't have it?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews