ôAffluenzaö refers not only to a pervasive societal malaise, but also the book Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic and a great PBS special that delves into the phenomenon. The Affluenza web site defines affluenza as
The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. 2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. 3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth. 4. A television program that could change your life (1).
The resemblance of ôaffluenzaö to ôinfluenzaö is intentional; it is a global disease of overconsumption and overwork characterized by a curious lack of satisfaction, and it seems to be contagious. No sooner does a personÆs coworker, neighbor, or friend get a new house, an expensive car, or a big promotion, than he finds himself wanting and working for the same thing. Before long, he is working too many hours, acquiring more stuff than he can take care of, and never finding time to enjoy the things in life that really matterùfamily, friendship, spiritual refreshment, and living each day.
The disease of affluenza is easy to slip into without realizing it, and DeGraffÆs book is a wake-up call to everyone who has become caught on the treadmill of increasing work and decreasing satisfaction. DeGraff and the Affluenza web site suggest many solutions for enhancing human life on our planet and escaping from the vicious cycle of affluenza. Some of these options would be especially rewarding, but they all require a measure of change from us. Little changes can make a big difference, though, so even a bit of change can be beneficial. A bit more frugality, a somewhat lower set of expectations, and a larger measure of contentment with the things one already possesses go a long way toward relieving the pressure and emptiness of the rat-race mentality of affluenza.
DeGraffÆs book offers many opti...