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Affluenza

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About this listen

 There is currently an epidemic of 'affluenza' throughout the world - an obsessive, envious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses - that has resulted in huge increases in depression and anxiety among millions. Over a nine-month period, best-selling author Oliver James travelled around the world to try and find out why. He discovered how, despite very different cultures and levels of wealth, affluenza is spreading.

Cities he visited include Sydney, Singapore, Moscow, Copenhagen, New York, and Shanghai, and in each place he interviewed several groups of people in the hope of finding out not only why this is happening, but also how one can increase the strength of one's emotional immune system. He asks: why do so many more people want what they haven't got and want to be someone they're not, despite being richer and freer from traditional restraints?

And, in so doing, uncovers the answer to how to reconnect with what really matters and learn to value what you've already got. In other words, how to be successful and stay sane.

©2007 Oliver James (P)2009 Random House Audiobooks Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Sociology Urban Singapore Health China Capitalism Socialism

Critic reviews

"A wonderfully clear and cogent thesis." ( Guardian)
"Should be mandatory reading for everyone." (Will Self)
All stars
Most relevant
Oliver James examines the relationship between affluence, self-esteem and happiness. He does this principally by recounting stories of people who he's met who represent one or other end of the spectrum of happiness/affluence.
My principal difficulty is that he reaches extraordinarily certain opinions based, seemingly on these cases alone. He makes a lot of assumptions about the people he talks about. I actually think he is correct about most things, but there's precious little evidence included (much like this review...) I have however changed some aspects of my life based on this, so I must have been happy enough with his conclusions.
I like books narrated by the author, but Oliver James' voice can become rather wearing after a while - not so bad that I couldn't listen, but not my favourite narration

Inspiring, puzzling, obvious, paradoxical

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The writer has well researched his ideas and shares them brilliantly in this book. Easy to read but very informative and transformative.

Must read!

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Would you try another book written by Oliver James or narrated by Oliver James?

It's an interesting idea, supported by some serious legwork on the part of the author.

Would you be willing to try another book from Oliver James? Why or why not?

I'd definitely listen to another book by the same author.

What didn’t you like about Oliver James’s performance?

The narration is okay, not fantastic. When the book quotes other people the narration attempts to mimic their speech to grating effect.

Was Affluenza worth the listening time?

Worth listening to for the ideas, probably better enjoyed in print than listened to in its present form.

Irritating Narration

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A broad, sharp and persuasive account of the affect political / value structures have on the psychology of individuals. Challenges a lot of the values we buy into from our environment, without deeply considering, and dissects societal problems in a way that rings very true. Americans may find this more challenging that Britains since large corporations appear to have controlled and polarised the narrative about capitalist ideals in the U.S., tying capitalism to patriotism in a way that does not allow for meaningful discussion. It's a complex but highly accessible book, is not about promoting one system over another so much as taking a critical look at a variety of systems in a thought-provoking way. This book may help you discover what makes you happy in the most holistic sense, aside from material / societal trophies.

Highly credible take on politics,values,mentl hlth

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I found this book really interesting and insightful. It reminds you of the importance of connection and how we are conditioned to be consumers.

Are you carrot chasing?

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