Anyone concerned about the level of their personal debt or frustrated by the rat race of aspiring to an affluent lifestyle will appreciate this critique of the effects of over-consumption. This analysis pulls no punches as it describes both the problem and what can be done to stop it. Analyzing the increasing rates of stress, depression, and obesity as possible effects of the consumption binge currently gripping the Western world, this report tracks how Australians overwork, the growing number of things thrown out, self-medicated drugs, and the real meaning of the word choice.
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Bristling with wit and a sense of intimacy that leaves readers experiencing a reading of shared incredulity 'Herald Sun
About the Author
Clive Hamilton is the author of Growth Fetish. He is the executive director of The Australia Institute, Australia's foremost public-interest think tank. He has held visiting positions at the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Cambridge. Richard Denniss is the deputy director of The Australia Institute. He has taught economics at the University of Newcastle and served as chief of staff to Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A. Woodley
Format:Paperback
A chilling tale of modern consumption gone mad, of the availability of so much yet causing so little happiness. It seems the more we consume the less happy we are. Our houses are bigger than ever, but our families are smalle. OUr children go to the best schools but we hardly see them. We have more money than ever before yet we are crippled under staggeringly high debt, more than ever before - the authors ask the question - what is going on?
They support this ably with graphed research however unfortunately the graphs were not well referenced so I have no idea as to their veracity, so when they mention a 23% proportion of 20-50 year olds 'downsizing' their lifestyle in the last 10 years I just don't know where they got this figure from, or indeed how valid. However while this was a distraction, I did find this book had some extremely major strengths
1 - it is well written,
2 - it is more than just scare tactics, It is thoughtful and thought provoking about the way we live
3 - it offers actually practical solutions as well as philosophical idealism. The conclusion is a series of ideals and how we can go about meeting them.
There have been others talking about the unhappiness bought about by mass consumerism, this is a nice book to start at to understand the issues.
They support this ably with graphed research however unfortunately the graphs were not well referenced so I have no idea as to their veracity, so when they mention a 23% proportion of 20-50 year olds 'downsizing' their lifestyle in the last 10 years I just don't know where they got this figure from, or indeed how valid. However while this was a distraction, I did find this book had some extremely major strengths
1 - it is well written,
2 - it is more than just scare tactics, It is thoughtful and thought provoking about the way we live
3 - it offers actually practical solutions as well as philosophical idealism. The conclusion is a series of ideals and how we can go about meeting them.
There have been others talking about the unhappiness bought about by mass consumerism, this is a nice book to start at to understand the issues.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Naomi12345
Format:Paperback
This book was facinating and easy to read- a rare combination of meticulous research and good writing. The author systematically explains the different aspects of society where affluenza is changing our way of life- it's scary stuff. But I was left thinking, what do I do about it? The author's few page 'manifesto' at the end of the book is too little, too late for me. I would have liked to see some practical tips in each chapter about what ordinary people can do to combat affluenza.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By G. Perera
Format:Paperback
Hamilton and Denniss present an interesting argument about Australian society: We're addicted to consumption. They claim we're more affluent than ever, and the "Aussie battler" image is a myth.
They don't say there aren't poor people in Australia; it's just that we've raised the bar considerably on what we consider "necessities" for life. In other words, it's not only the rich who are getting richer, it's also the poor and middle class getting richer but still claiming to be poor. The problem, they say, is not being consumers; it's being addicted to being consumers.
They organise their argument well into three sections: Describing the problem, outlining some of its (ill) effects; and then proposing solutions. In the first two sections, they present a wealth of statistics and data to support their position. However, the third section - where they propose solutions - is curiously weak, and they offer very little facts or research to support their recommendations.
In fact, they often betray a clear left-wing bias in their proposed solutions, rather than basing them on solid research. This even spills over into mind reading, with ridiculous statements like, "Although not willing to say so, neoliberals believe ...".
In other areas, they are just plain wrong. For instance, in the area of Internet censorship, where I do have some technical knowledge and experience, they say:
"When presented with polling showing that 93 per cent of parents of teenagers want governments to take responsibility for the problem and require Internet service providers to filter content, both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party respond that parents should take responsibility for their children's conduct.... Read more ›
They don't say there aren't poor people in Australia; it's just that we've raised the bar considerably on what we consider "necessities" for life. In other words, it's not only the rich who are getting richer, it's also the poor and middle class getting richer but still claiming to be poor. The problem, they say, is not being consumers; it's being addicted to being consumers.
They organise their argument well into three sections: Describing the problem, outlining some of its (ill) effects; and then proposing solutions. In the first two sections, they present a wealth of statistics and data to support their position. However, the third section - where they propose solutions - is curiously weak, and they offer very little facts or research to support their recommendations.
In fact, they often betray a clear left-wing bias in their proposed solutions, rather than basing them on solid research. This even spills over into mind reading, with ridiculous statements like, "Although not willing to say so, neoliberals believe ...".
In other areas, they are just plain wrong. For instance, in the area of Internet censorship, where I do have some technical knowledge and experience, they say:
"When presented with polling showing that 93 per cent of parents of teenagers want governments to take responsibility for the problem and require Internet service providers to filter content, both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party respond that parents should take responsibility for their children's conduct.... Read more ›
9 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Greg
Format:Paperback
According to virtually all statistical measures, Australians have become much, much richer in the past few decades than their parents or grandparents could have dreamed of. Who at the turn of the century, would have imagined us living in a world where we had a car each, had a large house, and hundreds of individual possessions?
Yet it seems in recent decades this trend for consumer capitalism has gotten totally out of control. It now often seems even having a house, car and job isn't enough; we have to have massive plasma television sets, several home computers, a third generation mobile phone, a whizz bang computer and games for the kids, both parents working to the hilt to pay the mortgage, expensive holidays and a million dollars in super at the end of it. We have to send our children to the most expensive private schools and universities, and money and getting things is the most important thing.
This is the picture Hamilton paints of Australia, where people binge on credit, where Australians work themselves almost to death to supply an endless array of goods and services which they don't really need, and are wasted; where about 20% of the population suffer from mental health problems related to low self esteem and stress, and where people avoid having children because each costs $250,000 to raise, and where our rampant consumption is ruining our environment as well as our health.
I certainly agree many of the ideas put forward in this book are true. Australia does seem to have become a place where the ethic of 'mateship' and community has been replaced with the rather heartless ethics of global capitalism, which are aimed at endless economic growth and growing individual prosperity.... Read more ›
Yet it seems in recent decades this trend for consumer capitalism has gotten totally out of control. It now often seems even having a house, car and job isn't enough; we have to have massive plasma television sets, several home computers, a third generation mobile phone, a whizz bang computer and games for the kids, both parents working to the hilt to pay the mortgage, expensive holidays and a million dollars in super at the end of it. We have to send our children to the most expensive private schools and universities, and money and getting things is the most important thing.
This is the picture Hamilton paints of Australia, where people binge on credit, where Australians work themselves almost to death to supply an endless array of goods and services which they don't really need, and are wasted; where about 20% of the population suffer from mental health problems related to low self esteem and stress, and where people avoid having children because each costs $250,000 to raise, and where our rampant consumption is ruining our environment as well as our health.
I certainly agree many of the ideas put forward in this book are true. Australia does seem to have become a place where the ethic of 'mateship' and community has been replaced with the rather heartless ethics of global capitalism, which are aimed at endless economic growth and growing individual prosperity.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Affluenza
Absolutely poor. I received the parcel 3 weekes after ordering and the book was bent and crumpled. Nice work Amazon, I am a first time customer that will not be using your services... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Simon P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Staggering Statistics, Powerfully Written
This is a book filled with staggering statistics.
`These days, for one in four children, the first recognisable word they utter is a brand name. Read more
`These days, for one in four children, the first recognisable word they utter is a brand name. Read more
Published on March 13, 2010 by Mr. Stephen N. Driscoll
4.0 out of 5 stars
Australia: Closer than we think.
Affluenza tracks the growth and influence of conspicuous consumption in Australia, with some side-ways glances at other nations as well. Read more
Published on February 29, 2008 by J. Lamoureux
