Rating: 
Summary: Is it really this bad?
Review: Two things really get my goat when it comes to discussing social policy. The first is engaging in romanticized discussion about the golden days of yesteryear, and how much better everything was before now. Careful thought and study almost always proves this to be an illusion. The second is engaging in alarmist rhetoric about how we're going to hell in hand basket, and unless we make some dramatic changes immediately, the world will end any minute now. This book is guilty of both of these sins.The first (and longest) part of the book, "Symptoms," is a 110 page laundry list of everything -- and I mean everything -- that is wrong with America. At first I was enjoying it and felt like I was learning something, but after about 50 pages, it really started to wear on me, to the point that I almost stopped reading. It would have helped if it was all relevant to the subject at hand, but a good portion of it wasn't. For instance, complaints about people going hungry in this land of plenty are compelling, and need to be made and listened to. But this problem has nothing to do with over-consumption. We could all cut our food consumption in half right now and it wouldn't do a thing to feed people who are going hungry. The problem isn't a shortage of food. It's our policies for how we deal with poor people. But the authors couldn't resist throwing that (and every other complaint that they have) into this book. But more problematic than that is the complete lack of balance on the authors' part. They refuse to acknowledge the very simple truism that every action has a cost AND a benefit. They only consider the costs of the actions that they don't like and the benefits of those that they do. The authors boldly stand for not cutting down forests, decreasing the amount of driving that we do, and recycling. For the record, I'm for all of that stuff too, and I think that there are a number of important policy changes we could make to encourage all of it. But don't talk about it as if it wouldn't involve sacrifice. I ride public transportation to work every day, and frankly, there's a lot about it that is a pain in the rear. I'm proud to do my part to decrease traffic congestion and pollution, but I think it's a huge mistake to talk about these things as though they're painless changes that everyone would make if they only thought about it a little bit. It's more complicated than that. The authors suggest that we should live close to work so that we don't have to drive, and that we should have a garden so that we can get in touch with the earth. Well in my neck of the woods, living close to work usually means renting a small apartment. To have a garden, I would have to move out to the suburbs, but then I'd have to drive to work. These are the types of decisions those of us in the real world are forced to make. Maybe this book is more indicative of the real problem with America: not untamed consumerism, but thinking we can have it all without sacrifice. Both environmentalists and pro-growthers are guilty of that. The reason this book gets 3 stars and not less is because it did provide a good jumping off point for further study. The authors' suggestions about rethinking how we calculate the GDP were thought provoking, and have sent me looking for further information. And like I said, the first 50 pages were fun. But maybe most importantly, it has encouraged me to take individual action (despite the fact that the authors say that this won't be enough, which I hope they're wrong about). Since finishing the book, I have investigated my local recycling program and am now a proud participant. It remains to be seen whether I can cut my consumption.
Rating: 
Summary: For The New American Revolution....
Review: This is a well researched, high quality book; written with humor, wisdom, and a great understanding of the subject: Americans out of touch with reality. If you want to come to grips with the real problems Americans face, and what the rest of the world faces as a result of our consumerism; or perhaps you are just curious about what kind of creature "makes it" in America, then this is your book. What I admired most after finishing reading, is the folksy worldview the authors have. I mean, they quote Malvina Reynolds, of all people, who complained in her songs about the cookie-cutter people which began to sprout up in the 50's, who lived in little boxes "made of ticky-tacky". Basicly, our lifestyle, -- maybe not yours, maybe not mine, but the average joe on the street, -- is a high-powered, high-stress, work-to-buy, overconsumering, lonely, almost meaningless existence. A state which is hardly even necessary to maintain our cherished international profile. Given the high technology, we REALLY only would have to work 10 hour work weeks. But of course we don't. This book is set up with a diagnosis, a description of the disease (Affluenza), and the cure. It does not fail to deliver, although it is a hard pill to swallow. Highly recommended! If you are interested in this subject, also try "Your Money or Your Life" and "The Idiot's Guide to Simple Living".
Rating:
Summary: I'm Not Alone
Review: For years I have felt like a fish swimming upstream against the constant pressures of rampant commercialism in our society. I have tried to teach my children by example, that less is more, even going so far as to write them a novel, A PARTING GIFT (Warner Books), as a way to impress my thoughts them. All this time I thought I was standing virtually alone in our spend, spend, spend culture, but now that I have read AFFLUENZA, I realize that there are thousands of others out there who feel the same way I do.
I plan to give this book to both my children in the hopes that the hard cold facts and statistics presented here will have as much impact on them as the philosophical truths I tried to express in my novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Wake-Up Call for a Jaded Nation
Review: Affluenza is an enlightening and accurate description of America's tired, wasteful, and negligent ways. While I was reading the book, I discovered that although I am not in the worst of conditions, I do suffer from Affluenza. It is so easy to get caught up in the cycle of debt and consumerism when we live in a society that promotes materialism and an unhealthy work ethic, while ignoring spirituality and values. On the brighter side, the book offers suggestions for a more ecologically-friendly society, one that values the benefits of leisure time and respects nature. If you feel as if your possessions are beginning to possess you, read this book at once! Treat the symptoms of Affluenza before you are permanently diseased!
Rating:
Summary: Changed my life
Review: I won't bother to repeat the rave reviews, but suffice it to say that this book led me to read others including "Your Money or Your Life" and "Natural Capitalism". Additionally, I have decided to leave my cushy job in the auto industry to go back to school to study more sustainable and sane means of transportation. I ask many people close to me to take a look at this book; if nothing else, I hope it opens their eyes and makes them more aware of their everyday actions.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book! I was glad that I did.
Review: I first heard of Affluenza in my class (Sustainability, Technology, and Policy). Three chapters from the book were assigned to us from reserve in the library. Upon completion of those three chapters, I was compelled to continue on and finish the book. This book is a rare gem that I feel will appeal to those on both sides of the political spectrum. The problem of our over-consuming society is not only a burden on all of us, but it is also steering our planet straight towards disaster. We truly are letting our material possessions take control of our lives, while we take more and more from the planet. This book is an answer to what I have been asking for, for a very long time - something to confirm my suspicions. Over the past several years I have become increasingly concerned with the issues of inequality in our society and the destruction of the natural environment on this planet. I can clearly recall a day roughly five years ago when, during a political debate I proudly, if naively, proclaimed, "Everyone wants more wealth. Why wouldn't you? The only people I can think of who do not pursue more wealth are monks and the like." That was a very ignorant statement to make. After reading this book, I for one would indeed prefer a 30 hour work week (or less) for a lot less wages, than a 40+ hour week for lots of money to spend on more possessions to rule my life (well, the remaining portion of my life not spent in work). Less work by everyone would result in less consumption, which would in turn results in less production. The book helps to show how GDP is not the scale we should be using to measure our happiness and success as a nation. More time to spend with family, to pursue friendships, to volunteer, to exercise and compete in sports, and to appreciate and take part in the arts - all simple things that are indeed more important than money. Affluenza challenges us to ask how it's possible for us to continue exploiting our planet at an increasing rate, and think it will never come to an end? An excerpt from Affluenza below is a good example of what I am writing about:
In the past 4 years more Americans declared personal bankrupcy than graduated from college. Our annual production of solid waste would fill a convoy of garbage trucks stretching halfway to the moon. We have 2x as many shopping centers as high schools. We now work more hours each year than do the citizens of any other industrial country, including Japan. Though we comprise only 4.7 % of the earth's people, we account for 25% of its global greenhouse gas emissions. 95% of our workers say they wish they could spend more time with their families. 40% of our lakes and streams are too polluted for swimming or fishing. Our CEO's now earn 400x as much as average workers, a tenfold increase since 1980. Since 1950, we Americans have used up more resources than everyone who ever lived on earth before them.
The strength of the book however, does not lie in the exploration of the ills of our society, but in its description of what could be. Our society can pull through this current primitive age of materialism that we are stuck in and move forward towards a more just and advanced culture. The authors make great points backed by statistical evidence (although I will concede that some of these "facts" should indeed be taken with a grain of salt), and open our eyes to what is really going on. Chapter 10 is particularly good at illustrating how the disease known as Affluenza is plundering our society of its values and equality. I also enjoyed the various political comics scattered throughout the book. Perhaps the best overall thing about is its accessibiliy. It is a very smooth read that does not throw punches or take sides, but merely explains the current nature of reality. This book really should be required reading by all American citizens. At the very least, do yourself a favor and pick up this book - it could change your life.
Rating:
Summary: Just how bad are your symptoms?
Review: Affluenza is just like it sounds, the sickness of having too much, or feeling like you have to have the latest and greatest of everything. You experience a temporary high as you shop and buy, only to suffer the future consequences in the form of financial distress and increased clutter in your life shortly thereafter. Combine a lack of financial education in schools and at home with relentless credit card company marketing, more and more advertising targeted at children, the public's desire to have the latest of everything (driven by relentless marketing on all fronts), and an epidemic results. In Affluenza, the authors detail America's over consumption of everything, so much in fact, that if every country on earth (probably even just half of them) consumed as much per person as the US, the planet would simply be destroyed. This consumption leads to debt and financial stress, environmental destruction, and a lifestyle that is simply not sustainable. The financial, social, and environmental impacts are tremendous. There is nothing revolutionary about anything in this book. If you are like most people, you or someone you know suffers at least some of the symptoms, an addiction to shopping, difficulty paying bills (particularly credit card), and a deep down realization that all the stuff you have really doesn't mean much. The book provides a new way to look at mass consumption and realize how it affects ones life. The book describes the empty world of plenty many Americans live in, as well as the global consequences of unchecked consumption. It also discusses various steps people have taken to simplify their lives (some rather extreme) and how the need to consume is in some ways simply built into the American society - like that 400+ a month most of us have to spend on a car to get back and forth to work so we have the cash to pay for the car. Pick up a copy of the book and find a nice spot in the beautiful outdoors to go relax and enjoy it. If this book is up your alley you may also be interested in "Credit Card Nation" and "Fast Food Nation". Each covers a specific segment of Affluenza.
Rating:
Summary: Affluenza is a great tool for evaluating and reprioritizing.
Review: The first step in curing any dis-ease is diagnosing the problem. Affluena does a beautiful job of naming the causes of the discomfort being felt in so many people's lifes in the U.S. The good news is it doesn't just say, You have a fatal illness and there's nothing that can be done for you. Instead, it offers simple guidelines for reprioritizing to redirect us to deeper meaning and fulfillment. This book gives a sense of hope and connection to those who may have felt alone in their emptiness. It seems like a great opportunity to form discussion groups, which also just happen to create more of a sense of community, while revisting long-held values that have been forfeited in our materialistic frenzy.
Rating: 
Summary: Falls flat after a a good start
Review: It does not take much skill to catalog the various ills of our modern society, particularly the unhealthy influences of Madison Ave. and Hollywood. This book does a fine job summarizing today's cultural pressures to spend and consume, to make more money and spend more time making it, all at the expnse of our families and personal sanity. Indeed, many books do the same thing; pointing out what is wrong with our spend-spend-spend culture these days is like shooting fish in a barrel. The authors provide several good examples of folks who got caught up in the world of consumption, credit card debt and keeping up with the Jones's. If you are looking for practical solutions for simplifying your life on an everyday, prectical level, however, this is not the book to read. As I feared they would, the authors rely almost exclusively on radical, unrealistic eco-solutions based upon environmental activism to recommend ways of living more simply. That might be OK for states, nations and communities to use, but for the individual looking for ways to cut back, relax, spend more time at home with loved ones, Affluenza is decidedly lacking. For folks trying to find realistic ways of not working so many hours and spending too much on possessions, the authors' recommendations of not eating red meat and eliminating your annual vacation to the beach border on absurd. Even more absurd is the conclusion: this book recommends heavy-handed, intrusive governtment solutions (including legistlation to cut back the work week) as "the answer" along with radical environmentalism. Nowhere do the authors recommend religous or spiritual ideas to help people reduce their work hours and conspicuous consumption, a serious flaw to this study. Big government is not the answer to this issue.
Rating:
Summary: I Can Appreciate Having Less!
Review: This book has truly changed my life. I was aware of the "virus" but never really stopped to think about it. Like many other Americans, I just let myself become infected. But after reading this book, I feel much better. The "fever" for consuming is quickly going away. This year, I'll think before I buy. (And maybe I'll decide not to buy!)
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