Author: John de Graaf, David Wann, Thomas H. Naylor

“Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic” by John de Graaf, David Wann, and Thomas H. Naylor explores the concept of “affluenza,” a term coined to describe the negative effects of excessive consumerism and materialism on individuals and society. The book is structured in three parts: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

Part I: Symptoms

The authors describe various symptoms of affluenza, such as:

• Shopping Fever: The compulsive need to shop and acquire more goods.
• A Rash of Bankruptcies: The financial strain and debt resulting from overconsumption.
• Swollen Expectations: The ever-increasing desire for more and better possessions.
• Chronic Congestion: The clutter and stress caused by owning too many things.
• The Stress of Excess: The mental and physical toll of maintaining a high-consumption lifestyle.
• Family Convulsions: The impact on family relationships and dynamics.
• Community Chills: The erosion of community bonds due to individualistic pursuits.
• An Ache for Meaning: The existential void left by material pursuits.
• Resource Exhaustion: The environmental degradation caused by overconsumption.
• Industrial Diarrhea: The pollution and waste generated by mass production.
• The Addictive Virus: The addictive nature of consumerism.

Part II: Causes

The book delves into the origins of affluenza, tracing it back to post-World War II economic policies and cultural shifts that promoted consumerism as a path to happiness. The authors argue that advertising, media, and societal norms have perpetuated the belief that more possessions equate to a better life.

Part III: Treatment

The authors offer solutions to combat affluenza, including:

• Voluntary Simplicity: Choosing to live with less and focus on what truly matters.
• Downshifting: Reducing work hours and consumption to improve quality of life.
• Community Building: Strengthening social ties and community engagement.
• Environmental Stewardship: Adopting sustainable practices to protect the planet.
• Mindful Consumption: Being conscious of the impact of our purchases and choosing quality over quantity.

Reviews of “Affluenza”

Positive Reviews:

• Many readers appreciate the book’s engaging and accessible writing style, which makes complex issues easy to understand¹.
• The use of the disease metaphor to describe consumerism’s impact is praised for its creativity and effectiveness².
• Readers find the practical solutions and real-life examples inspiring and actionable¹.

Critical Reviews:

• Some critics argue that the book can be repetitive and overly simplistic in its analysis².
• A few readers feel that the solutions offered are idealistic and may not be practical for everyone².

Overall, “Affluenza” is well-regarded for its insightful critique of consumer culture and its call to action for a more meaningful and sustainable way of living.

Source:
(1) Summary and Reviews of Affluenza by Wann, de Graaf, Naylor – BookBrowse. https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/884/Affluenza.
(2) Affluenza Book Summary and Review – Four Minute Books. https://fourminutebooks.com/affluenza-summary/.
(3) Affluenza Summary and Analysis – Free Book Notes. https://www.freebooknotes.com/summaries-analysis/affluenza/.
(4) Affluenza Part 1, Chapters 2-6 Summary & Analysis | SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/affluenza/part-1-chapters-2-6/.
(5) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1002290.Affluenza.