It is thought to have been first used in 1954, 1 but was popularised in 1997 with a pbs documentary of the same name 2 and the subsequent book affluenza. Affluenza is a handy madeup word, but the illness connotation is purposeful, as the authors see americas outofcontrol buying habit as a sickness, an illness, that society had better cure soon. Submit your interview questions starting monday, march 24th, for dave to answer and ill select six questions. The first two sections section of the book covers how american society shifted over to a consumer society from a more frugal and saving society. Affluenza 3rd edition mutation how overconsumption is. Original sin in this chapter, the authors argue that affluenza isnt a part of human nature. Revised edition of a bestseller over 75,000 copies sold. It came after a few pbs tv specials with the same title in the late. Based on two highly acclaimed pbs documentaries, affluenza uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject. Bill mckibben, author of the end of nature and founder, the authors have packed their book with stunning facts, searing insightsand they point out a path forward. Beyond personal fulfillment, however, the message here is that the world needs citizen participation to force corporations and politicians to make the kind of. America, along with much of the industrialized world, is in the grip of an epidemic affluenza. The allconsuming epidemic 2001, revised in 2005, 2014. Dec 16, 20 a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, a more detailed definition of affluenza can be found in the book affluenza.
Next week starts the ask dave wann giveaway contest. Solutions for affluenza ways of handling the problem brook. The all consuming epidemic came to me at a tipping point in my life, the cusp of moving on from being the cause of the epidemic, creating the goods that sick people lust after and telling the exactly why they should buy it, to starting. Affluenza book discussion chapters 19 21 crunchy chicken. It is a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, and is used most commonly by critics of consumerism. In chapters with titles like swollen expectations and a rash of bankruptcies, affluenza uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject. Affluenza book discussion chapters 15 18 crunchy chicken. In their eyeopening, soulprodding look at the excess of american society, the authors of affluenza include two quotations that encapsulate much of the book.
Affluenza the allconsuming epidemic posted in usa in 20 ethan couch, a sixteenyearold texan was drunk driving his bloodalcohol level was three times the legal limit for adult drivers when he rammed a pickup truck into a crowd of people who were trying to help a stranded motorist on the side of a road near fort worth. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Later, there was a book written on the same series which was titled affluenza the allconsuming epidemic. Of course, the scene is an imaginary one, but the epidemic is real. That, in studying huntergatherers or more primitive cultures, the individuals and. Apr 02, 2018 affluenza, a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, is a term used by critics of consumerism. Revised edition of a bestsellerover 75000 copies sold updated throughout with startling new facts and new material, including the firstever affluenza fever. The allconsuming epidemic defines it as a painful, contagious, socially. Western society has a serious problem with mass consumption brought on by media, politics and societal institutions. In addition to affluenza and escape from affluenza, he also produced running out of time, for earths sake.
In affluenza, the authors detail americas over consumption of everything, so much in fact, that if every country on earth probably even just half of them consumed. Originally a one hour special on pbs about overconsumption in the 1990s, the book affluenza expands on what the show had to say on the subject. Mar 19, 2008 here is the discussion post for the fifth installment of the affluenza, the allconsuming epidemic book club. The road not taken an emerging epidemic the age of affluenza is there a real doctor in the house. In 1996, together with vivia boe, a fellow publictelevision producer, i set out to craft a documentary about the subject of overconsumption and its many notsobenign consequences for american society. That, in studying huntergatherers or more primitive cultures, the individuals and communities rely on very few. Here is the discussion post for the fifth installment of the affluenza, the allconsuming epidemic book club. I almost didnt pick up this book because i was lessthanimpressed with the documentary with the same name that i watched on netflix streaming.
The all consuming epidemic brings up several issues ailing contemporary industrial society, such as deceptive mass advertisements, overpopulation, environment damaging toxic dumping, corporate greed, etc. The organization of the chapters of affluenza is a main constant through out the whole book, there are a few extra items in some, it really. The book includes a selftest to see if the reader suffers from affluenza, and then offers something like a 12step program for individuals for instance, spend more time in nature. Most movies start with a book, but this book started with a movie.
The allconsuming epidemic is a thoughtprovoking examination of what it means to be ill in a modern society suffering from a painful, contagious, sociallytransmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. I highly recommend it if you are looking to start implementing a sane and minimalistic way of life. In chapters with titles like swollen expectations and a rash of bankruptcies, affluenza uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious. The new edition has been updated and includes a study guide. This book was written to enlighten readers about how much americans spend, and the epidemic to have to have something, as soon as it comes out. David wann, a former epa staffer and expert on sustainable lifestyles. Now in its third edition, this book can safely be called prophetic in showing how problems ranging from loneliness, endless. This book was written a few years before the economic recession and yet the authors wrote it knowing it was coming, and soon. Studies have shown that people who simplify their lives. When your time comes and your whole life flashes before. Solutions for affluenza ways of handling the problem. It is thought to have been first used in 1954 but it gained legs as a concept with a 1997 pbs documentary of the same name and the subsequent book, affluenza. Part 2 of the book, the all consuming epidemic consist of six chapters that the most critical to this paper including chapter 15 to chapter 20. The following documentary is based on the affluenza.
Affluenzas costs and consequences are immense, though often concealed. Naylor find, read and cite all the research you need. Naylor berrettkoehler publishers 2001, 2002 this is a good book about consumerism and commercialism seen metaphorically as a social disease. In our view, the affluenza epidemic is rooted in the obsessive, almost religious quest for economic expansion that has become the core principle of what is called the american dream. In examining this pervasive disease in an age when the urge to splurge continues to surge, the first section is the books most provocative. Mar 04, 2008 here is the discussion post for the fourth installment of the affluenza, the allconsuming epidemic book club. The informational yet entertaining book, affluenza. The allconsuming epidemic by john degraaf, david wann, and thomas h. How overconsumption is killing us and how to fight. In the very first chapter of the book affluenzathe authors present some revealing statistics on american consumerism, especially the shopping spree preceding the holiday season.
Affluenza is a psychological malaise supposedly affecting wealthy young people. Affluenza has easily passed the test of time and become an american classic, the book that raised our crisis of consumption to national awareness. The life and times of david brower, circle of plenty, green plans, and genetic time bomb, among many others. Redefining progress organization explores the origins, causes, and symptoms of affluenza, societys compulsive desire to acquire, and discusses such treatment as strengthening immunity against advertising and minimizing the. Affluenza, a portmanteau of affluence and influenza, is a term used by critics of consumerism. The 2008 economic collapse proved how resilient and dangerous affluenza can be. We can see its symptoms in the widespread emptiness that people feel, despite their accumulation of material goods. Explores the origins, causes, and symptoms of affluenza, societys compulsive desire to acquire, and discusses such treatment as strengthening immunity against advertising and minimizing the sideeffects of overconsumption. Here is the discussion post for the fourth installment of the affluenza, the allconsuming epidemic book club. Now in its third edition, this book can safely be called prophetic in showing. The road to recovery bed rest aspirin and chicken soup fresh air the right medicine back to work vaccinations and vitamins political. Naylor, professor emeritus in economics at duke, have assembled an updated and more indepth look at the epidemic of overconsumption sweeping the united states and.
A powerful virus has infected american society, threatening our wallets, our friendships, our families, our communities, and our environment. Affluenza has its heart in the right place but unfortunately fails in the execution, which is a shame since the message of the book is dead on. In affluenza, the authors detail americas 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. A portmanteau of affluence and influenza, a more detailed definition of affluenza can be found in the book affluenza.
This consumption leads to debt and financial stress, environmental destruction. Alert me when this program is available for purchase. We would all be well served to read the book and pass it on to relatives, friends, and neighbors in the hopes of creating a great public conversation around how to eradicate the affluenza pandemic. Viewing consumerism with its accompanying overwork and dissatisfaction as a deliberately spread disease, the book consists of three partssymptoms, origins, and treatment. David wann in chapters with titles like swollen expectations and a rash of bankruptcies, affluenza uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject. The book goes on cnosuming quote karl marx favorably and advocate redistribution of wealth. The all consuming epidemic, which describes it as a painful, contagious. Now in its third edition, this book can safely be called prophetic in showing how problems ranging from loneliness, endless working hours, and family conflict to rising debt, environmental pollution, and rampant commercialism are all symptoms of this global plague. Affluenza is a sober indictment of the excesses and sheer waste in our increasingly consumeroriented society. Ive been continuing my anticonsumerismeco reading extravaganza, this time with affluenza. The book is based on the tv documentary of the same name that aired in 1997, followed by escape from affluenza in 1998. The all consuming epidemic came to me at a tipping point in my life, the cusp of moving on from being the cause of the epidemic, creating the goods that sick people lust after and telling the exactly why they should buy it, to starting my own personal revolution of conscious consumption. Based on two highly acclaimed pbs documentaries watched by 10 million viewers, affluenza uses the whimsical metaphor of a disease to tackle a very serious subject.
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