Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic

affluenza, n. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. Based on two highly acclaimed PBS documentaries, Affluenza uses the metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject: the damage done-to our health, our families, our communities, and our environment-by the obsessive quest for material gain. The authors show that problems like loneliness, rising debt, longer working hours, environmental pollution, family conflict and rampant commercialism are actually symptoms caused by the same "disease": affluenza. Affluenza presents the symptoms-stress of excess, family convulsions, dilated pupils, resource exhaustion-along with their historical and cultural origins. Most importantly, the book explores causes and cures, such as the "new frugality" and "voluntary simplicity" movements, and suggests strategies for rebuilding families and communities and for restoring and respecting the earth. Engaging, fast-paced, and accessible, Affluenza takes a hard look at a complex and serious issue, revealing ways of living and working that make more sense and are, ultimately, more satisfying. After all, the best things in life aren't things.De Graaf, John is the author of 'Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic', published 2002 under ISBN 9781576751992 and ISBN 1576751996.