Product Description

Affluenza is about the personal, social, economic, and environmental costs of over-consumption - and what we can do to beat the "all-consuming bug" that's infecting the planet. While many people think the fight against affluenza will require us to "give up" the good life, the authors assert that we're already giving up the good life, by sacrificing personal health and sanity, family closeness, and ecological stability for electronic gadgets, fantasy vacations, cheap socks and underwear. Affluenza presents symptoms (such as Stress of Excess and Family Convulsions; historical and cultural data; and proven cures. An accessible, even humorous overview of a difficult subject, Affluenza suggests strategies for rebuilding families and communities, and for respecting the earth and its biological rules. The book has hit a nerve with people around the country. Affluenza reveals symptoms of the larger disease of over-consumption. Symptoms include: social inequity, loss of human and biological diversity, and helath effects from "keeping up with the Joneses." Affluenza offers practical guidance for adopting lifestyles that are more sensible and satisfying, and shows, through stories and interviews, that "the best things in life aren't things."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327326 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Affluenza is an eye-opening, soul-prodding look at the wretched excess of today's American society. John De Graaf, David Wann and Thomas Naylor define it as something akin to "a painful, contagious, socially-transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more". Having begun life as two US TV programmes co-produced by De Graaf, this book takes a hard look at the symptoms of affluenza, the history of its development into an epidemic, and the options for treatment. In making its readers aware of this pervasive disease in an age when "the urge to splurge continues to surge", the first section is the book's most provocative. According to figures the authors quote and expound upon, Americans each spend more than $21,000 per year on consumer goods, average rates of saving have fallen from about 10 per cent of income in 1980 to zero in 2000, credit card indebtedness tripled in the 1990s and more people file for bankruptcy each year than graduate from college. "To live, we buy," explain the authors. They present many of the historical, political and socio-economic reasons that affluenza has taken such strong root in American society and, in the final section, offer practical ideas for change. These use the intriguing stories of those who have already opted for simpler living and are creatively combating the disease, through simple habit alterations to more in-depth environmental considerations and from living lightly to managing wealth responsibly.

Many books make you think the author has crammed everything they know into a one-hit wonder attempt at knowledge transfer. The feeling you get reading Affluenza is quite different; the authors appear well-read, well-rounded and intelligent, knowledgable beyond the content of their book but smart enough to realise that we need a short, sharp jolt to recognise our current ailment. It's obviously a cliché that money can't buy happiness, but this book will strike a resounding chord with anyone who realises that time is more valuable than toys. Affluenza is a clarion call for those interested in being part of the healing solution. --S Ketchum

Review
"The way to end a nightmare is to wake up, and Affluenza is an alarm clock. We have created a world that dishonors all that is honorable, good, and meaningful. There is another possibility." - Paul Hawken,, author of Ecology of Commerce and Natural Capitalism; "Using humor, facts and compelling stories, Affluenza exposes the disease of over-consuming that threatens our health, families, budgets, friendships, communities and the environment.... But it doesn't stop there; it offers concret ideas that can contribute to healthier, happier lives and a more livable planet. I was mightily impressed by the film "Affluenza," but the book digs even deeper to illuminate the epidemic that's eating [the planet]. You should read it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you might even change your life - or extend it!" - David R. Brower, Chairman, Earth Island Institute, and Founder, Friends of the Earth

About the Author
John de Graaf has been writing and producing award-winning television programs for several decades. David Wann left the Environmental Protection Agency in 1996 to produce books and videos about sustainable lifestyles. Thomas H. Naylor is Professor Emeritus of Economics at Duke and author of 29 books, including Downsizing the U.S.A. and Technofascism Manifesto.

Customer Reviews

a modern disease
As the title suggests Affluenza is a modern disease to do with affluence, over-consumption and the materialistic world. The authors use numerous examples to show that affluence does not necessarily improve the quality of life but can just add to stress, information overload, traffic congestion, evaporating spare time and environmental degradation. The section on `treatments' is not quite so convincing , but by then you've got the picture anyway.

Every one should read this book!
Every civic minded person will get a lot out of reading this book.
Although a lot of the information is quite depressing,when you digest what you read, you soon realise that your efforts can make a difference.

I wanted to read this book ages ago but thought it might be a little "dry", it isn't at all!

It is well written, balanced and I think every one over the age of 16 should read it before they decide what they want out of life.

I am already trying to live frugally, but I know that having read this book, I will be trying even harder to live lightly on this Earth.

I believe that reading this book will have saved me money as I will now analyse future purchases with much greater scutiny.

shocking!
Mall of America - People fly across their state to go on a shopaholic splash-out until the plastic crumbles. They stay in one of the mall's hotels, eat, drink, carry bags, and when they have finished with their retail therapy they fly back home. At home the joy lasts for a couple of weeks, then the credit card bill comes....OUTCH!!
This book investigates the consumerism of modern day America and tells you some shocking facts and numbers. A depressing read for anyone green when it comes to consumption figures, e.g. 25% of all the exported timber in the world goes to the U.S., or if every person in the world would want to sustain an all American lifestyle we would need four more earths...!

But it's not all doom and gloom as the authors suggest remedies to cure our addiction to stuff! I liked the story of the man who went for a walk by a polluted river with no trees left, so he started clearing up and planting trees. Now, years later there is a flourishing woodland by the same river - clean and beautiful!

The authors certainly make a point and the first half is really good. European consumers are describes as more careful with resources, but I wish the book was written from a global point of view, taking all wasteful earthlings into account...