Affluenza

Affluenza: Causes and Symptoms

America, along with much of the industrialized world, is in the grip of an epidemic - affluenza. We can see its symptoms in the widespread emptiness that people feel, despite their accumulation of material goods. Affluenza has its roots in the nearly religious obsession with economic expansion that underlies the American dream. We must reject this materialism or pay a terrible price.

Shopping fever is the first symptom of affluenza. Since the end of World War II, Americans have been on history’s largest spending binge. Ancient cultures built cathedrals and temples; we build mega-malls. Our shopping spree has been financed by vast consumer debt, which has led to a flood of personal bankruptcies. Millions are having trouble paying bills and have no financial cushion. Our national savings rate is near zero. Our material expectations are higher than ever: bigger homes, SUV’s, cheap airfares, exotic foodstuffs. We "need" far more than previous generations. Yet many Americans are suffering possession overload - stress caused by having too much stuff. They feel that their lives are consumed with getting and maintaining material things instead...