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CrispyQ

(40,658 posts)

20. Years ago I read a book, "Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic,"

Sun Jul 9, 2023, 10:04 AM

Jul 2023

by David Wann, John de Graaf, and Thomas Naylor.

It was a more light-hearted approach to consumerism, an effort to make Americans see how extreme we'd become in our quest for stuff. The David Horsey cartoons were a wonderful bonus!

The book talks about how urban sprawl started, with the desire for bigger homes, & then the need for at least one car so Dad could get to work & the more well off families got a second car for Mom. Then there was this new big house to fill & ideally you'd be the first on the block to get some new thing or you'd be trying to keep up. There was a photo of an American family & an African family with all their possessions outside & it was a staggering contrast & this was quite some time ago. It talks about how the thrill of buying something new starts to wear of faster & faster. I've seen it in my own life. I'm decluttering my basement where stuff collects for the second time in thirty years. WTF!

Worth reading if you can find it. The Horsey cartoons alone make it worth it.

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Advertising, excess consumption and climate change [View all] lostnfound Jul 2023 OP

This is a really important observation. It's astonishing what advertisers have convinced Americans Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #1

I see myself in a lot of those stats lostnfound Jul 2023 #3

I can see how it would be difficult during child rearing years. But you are right that a lot of Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #4

ADDING: I think you might have inspired someone. It's a great conversation and I'm glad Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #6

I can vouch for number 2. Hugin Jul 2023 #18

Years ago I read a book, "Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic," CrispyQ Jul 2023 #20

Just ordered it from the library! Thanks! Scrivener7 Jul 2023 #24

K&R Doc Sportello Jul 2023 #2

The techniques are the same as the 20s and the sophisticated tech has enabled it to be targeted lostnfound Jul 2023 #21

Here's the problem. roamer65 Jul 2023 #5

Six billion miracles are enough. CrispyQ Jul 2023 #8

I think its finally starting to get through to the millennials and Gen Z. roamer65 Jul 2023 #9

That article is in line with what I'm hearing from millennials and Gen Z. femmedem Jul 2023 #16

I have been adopted by a niece and nephew. roamer65 Jul 2023 #17

That's so sweet of them! femmedem Jul 2023 #23

I try. roamer65 Jul 2023 #26

As a way of assessing our economy, the GDP is the fastest track available to a dystopian future. Magoo48 Jul 2023 #7

You are definitely on the right track! Think. Again. Jul 2023 #10

Bill Hicks had a great bit about marketing. JanMichael Jul 2023 #11

Our current model: Comfort, Convenience, Consumption. Ron Green Jul 2023 #12

Nice slogan lostnfound Jul 2023 #22

Yup. Magoo48 Jul 2023 #28

And maybe we should publically fund anti-consumption messages. femmedem Jul 2023 #13

Advertising is the function for establishing standards and impossible-to-attain ideals Auggie Jul 2023 #14

Advertisers have been unable to sell me a private jet leftstreet Jul 2023 #15

The economist John Kenneth Galbraith made the point that advertising skews capitalism c-rational Jul 2023 #19

I agree Cherokee100 Jul 2023 #25

I've removed advertising that moves or makes noise from my personal universe. hunter Jul 2023 #27

Does it make sense to fight a battle that's already been lost? Kaleva Jul 2023 #29