Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. 2001
Affluenza is a book about over consumption and its negative affect on people and the environment. This book explains that in spite of having so many possessions Americans are still unhappy. Instead of spending time with our families we are working longer hours and watching more television. We work longer hours to buy more things that we don’t have time to use anyway because we are to busy at our jobs. Affluenza talks about all the symptoms and causes of this epidemic, and the negative impact over consumption has on the environment. It also has many treatments that can cure people of Affluenza.
The first part of this book addresses the symptoms of Affluenza. It talks about American society and our drive to have so many possessions. It talks of how the media tells us on a daily basis of all the products and looks we need to be adequate in our current society. The book goes on to explain the growing debt of Americans, how so many people are trying to finance the world. People now live so far beyond their needs because they can just put it on the card and pay it off later. Most Americans don’t own their possessions in their entirety. They may actually own a quarter or half of it because the rest is owned by the bank or financing company. Buy now and pay later, really pay later. With higher credit lines and larger paychecks people are now able to finance a huge six bedroom house with a four car garage, and only three people to live there. So what does this in tell? The family wants more stuff, how about a boat to put in that garage. They also need a huge fifth wheel camper complete with kitchen, bathroom and satellite television so they can keep up on their sitcoms while camping. What else do we need? All we have to do is watch that TV for a half hour and I’m sure it will tell us. In spite of having all of these things Americans are still not happy. Once we get something it’s always what’s next? Never taking the time to enjoy what we have and who we have. This is Affluenza. Always wanting more and never being content with your life the way it is.
The book goes on to explain the main causes of Affluenza. The biggest one is that Americans are looking for happiness in material wealth. Everyday we have the message pounded into our head; we need this and that so we’ll be happy. Once we get it, we still aren’t happy, so it’s on to the next thing. It seems that many Americans have forgotten or were never taught what true happiness is. Happiness comes from doing good unto others and giving and receiving affection, not from having a nice car. Our family values have escaped us and they are replaced by material possessions. Today’s youth are now raised by daycare centers and nannies, instead of the traditional stay at home mom. Both mom and dad have to work these days. They need that duel income to pay of the house mortgage, the car loan and if any money is left over their child’s higher education.
What can we do to escape Affluenza? Some families are choosing to live more simplistically. They are choosing to live within their means and not get into debt. They value spending more time with their family instead of taking extra hours at the office. Voluntary simplicity is consuming fewer resources and having less worldly possessions, while promoting family and moral values. These people are very happy with their life style. They feel like they are more in tune to the environment and activities going on in the world. The main values are not competition and greed; they are family, health and well being. The United States has approximately 480 million people. With only a fraction of the population we still consume 30 percent of the world’s resources. If everyone on the Earth consumed as much as we do we would need another planet. Simplistic living is a way to raise awareness and conserve our natural resources.
I found Affluenza, the book based on the video segment by John DeGraaf highly interesting. It affectively addresses some very key issues and shows that we will have to change in order for our society to survive. We as a society need to change. We need to stop being so shallow and superficial. Many of the ideas in this book are creeping in to the mainstream. One movie that shares some of these views is American Beauty. This movie addresses societal discontent and materialistic values. Like Affluenza, American Beauty addresses the fact that our society looks for happiness in material items. We need to have these kinds of books and movies to educate the masses of what is really happening in modern society. They are needed to inform people of why they are still unhappy even when they have everything they want. Environmental consciousness needs to be raised in order for us to have a healthy, sustainable planet. I believe the idea of simplistic living is the future. If we are going to survive we can’t continue consuming resources at our current rate. Americans consume more than anyone else in the world and I think that is very irresponsible of us. Being one of the few true super powers left, I think we have a duty to help other nations and set an example. The United States is the leader of the free world and it’s about time we start acting like it.
I think this book is a good start for someone that wants to change their ways. It describes a lot of feelings that some people may be having and they don’t know why. It points out a lot of major problems that American’s have and addresses ways to solve them. That is the main reason why I think this book is affective. It actually has some solutions for Americans to follow instead of just telling people they have a problem. I highly recommend this book and I’ll go so far as to say it should be required reading in high school English. It really makes you stop and think about what is happening in American society. It makes some question modern society and our values. Hopefully people can start thinking for themselves instead of doing what the TV tells them to.
Reviewed By William Johnson
For Environmental Science 204, Bellevue Community College, 2002