Affluenza
By Thomas H. Naylor, David Wann & John de Graaf
How Overconsumption Is Killing Us and How to Fight Back. Berrett-Koehler, 2014.
Summary of Affluenza book by Thomas H. Naylor, David Wann & John de Graaf
An interesting, left-leaning argument about the drawbacks of economic overload in the form of overconsumption, arguing that the desire to accumulate goods, or “affluenza,” is leading to negative societal, social, and environmental issues like loneliness, conflict in families, rising debt, and pollution.
Chapters in Affluenza book summary
What do I get from this book? Learn why money really cannot buy happiness
From places of worship to shopping malls—affluenza has radically shifted habits and behaviors
Consumers are trying to buy happiness, but they’re caught in a never-ending spiral
The cost of affluenza—overconsumption is badly impacting the environment
Possession overload is overwhelming people, but it never feels like enough
Affluenza has a high social cost and has negatively impacted families and communities
Affluenza hurts the affluent and the poor in very different ways
Careless consumers and overconsumption are leading to resource exhaustion across the globe
To beat the scourge of affluenza, we must understand its epidemiology
The systematic facilitation of overconsumption—the affluenza epidemic was built into the economy
Affluenza is spread using Adfluenza, but commercial advertising rarely tells you the whole truth
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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Affluenza — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Affluenza book
- Professionals
- entrepreneurs
About the author of Affluenza
Thomas H. Naylor
As an independent film producer, John de Graaf has received over 100 awards. He works with the Happiness Initiative and advises the prime minister of Bhutan. David Wann has authored multiple books and documentaries, of which several have gone on to become award winners. Thomas Naylor has authored over 30 books and is a professor at Duke University.
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Ellen Ruppel Shell
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