Friday, January 26, 2007

Beware of Affluenza

Reuters has published a report about a new book by British Psychologist Oliver James entitled Affluenza. Here's a quote:

"We have become addicted to having rather than being and confusing our needs with our wants," he told Reuters in an interview to mark publication on Thursday of "Affluenza."

Globe-trotting from New York to Sydney, Singapore and Shanghai via Copenhagen, Moscow and Auckland, he concluded after interviewing 240 people that "selfish capitalism" has run riot.

Bigger houses, more cars, larger televisions, younger faces -- these goals are frenetically pursued by middle-class workaholics afflicted by "Affluenza."

"Studies in lots of different nations show that if you place high value on those things, you are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety, addictions and personality disorders," he said.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Are you sure this is a NEW book? There was a book and a follow up film by that title that is semi-regularly shown and discussed in my church as we try to become an Affluenza 12 Step anti-addiction group.