Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
30th out of 230 books
—
202 voters
Affluenza
by
Oliver James
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, bestselling author Oliver James travelled around the world to try and find out why. He discovered how, despite very different cultures and levels of...more
Hardcover
Published
January 25th 2007
by Vermilion
(first published January 1st 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,120)
I've given this book five stars in the end, although when I was two-thirds of the way through it wasn' t going to get anything like that from me.
There were two reasons for my misgivings.
First, it was the metaphor. It struck me as too easy somehow -- the idea that affluenza was a virus (he is talking about Selfish Capitalism and its effects on us really) and that there might be 'vaccines' that would protect people. It struck me as a typical psychologist's way of marketing another TV-friendly theo...more
There were two reasons for my misgivings.
First, it was the metaphor. It struck me as too easy somehow -- the idea that affluenza was a virus (he is talking about Selfish Capitalism and its effects on us really) and that there might be 'vaccines' that would protect people. It struck me as a typical psychologist's way of marketing another TV-friendly theo...more
11 likes · like · see review
view all 12 comments
Halfway through this book I thought: Why does this guy remind me of the guy who wrote They F*** You Up? I checked the names, and both books have the same author. I don’t have a good memory for authors’ names; otherwise, I wouldn’t have picked up this book given how much I didn’t like the other one.
“The Affluenza Virus is a set of values which increase our vulnerability to emotional distress. It entails placing a high value on acquiring money and possessions, looking good in the eyes of others a...more
“The Affluenza Virus is a set of values which increase our vulnerability to emotional distress. It entails placing a high value on acquiring money and possessions, looking good in the eyes of others a...more
A good idea for a book, but so padded with anecdote standing in for research (for which he is so defensive) that it cannot be taken seriously. His narrow diagnosis of the big v Virus of selfish capitalism rolls all of the world's ills to one doorstep (here in the US). But his chapters on the US rely entirely on New York City as his measure for American culture and values. Which is ridiculous and insulting to the nation as a whole.
There are some good ideas, some common sense steps mixed into thi...more
There are some good ideas, some common sense steps mixed into thi...more
I really enjoyed this book and although it was occasionally simplistic, on the whole it made a lot of sense. It was basically an account of how many westerners are becoming increasingly unhappy, despite having more wealth and opportunity than ever before. Its all about the values in society and how great inequality creates problems - about hoe constantly comparing yourself/assets brings dissatisfaction and also a constant craving for perfection /improvement etc. I meant to photocopy some pages t...more
I read this book back in 2008, when I was busily running around trying to do everything at work, not really succeeding, and not having time to do much else either. Although it's not a particularly scientific effort (there are a couple of scattergrams showing emotional distress v income inequality in the appendices), it is an interesting read, and points out some of what should be important in our lives - friends, family, doing things because you enjoy them rather than to impress other people, bu...more
The title caught my eye in the local Borders the other day - I'd gone to look for Zakaria's Post American World which they still can't find any. I suppose I'll have to pop into Kinokuniya in the city to buy that. Anyway, noted that there were two books with the same title in fact - one was American and written like a workbook and the other was this tome by British psychologist Oliver James. Amazon's reviews are more or less what I'd expected, and it looks as though I might consider going back to...more
May 16, 2011
Wendy Palmer
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
non-fiction
And here was the interesting experience of being in complete agreement with the author's stated hypothesis and yet arguing with him on nearly every page because I hated the way he was shoehorning data and anecdotes to fit his theory.
Best example: "the advent of Selfish Capitalism in New Zealand might have destroyed immunity to the Virus...this does not seem to have happened... Most New Zealanders have not been seduced by Selfish Capitalism... Here is a country with a government doing its best to...more
Best example: "the advent of Selfish Capitalism in New Zealand might have destroyed immunity to the Virus...this does not seem to have happened... Most New Zealanders have not been seduced by Selfish Capitalism... Here is a country with a government doing its best to...more
Affluenza promised to be a much more thought-provoking read than delivered. In honesty, I picked up the book as likely already a convert to the ideas which James is attempting to present in the work - as my role as 'choir member' I merely expected to be perhaps entertained by the sermon. Unfortunately, the book relies far too heavily upon James' own personal opinions about the differences between nations and upon anecdotes of people which he met during his world tour. So, the work ends up soundi...more
Read this book.
Been waiting to read this book for a couple of months after requesting it from the library. Was initially inspired to read it by Radio 4's 'Book Club' and dallied with the idea of buying it, but after reading the blurb in a bookshop, I decided borrowing it would be the most authentic option. After all that, I saw it in a charity shop in Forest Hill for £1 and had to get it.
What a refreshing read. James argues that there are three traits that make someone immune to the emotional di...more
Been waiting to read this book for a couple of months after requesting it from the library. Was initially inspired to read it by Radio 4's 'Book Club' and dallied with the idea of buying it, but after reading the blurb in a bookshop, I decided borrowing it would be the most authentic option. After all that, I saw it in a charity shop in Forest Hill for £1 and had to get it.
What a refreshing read. James argues that there are three traits that make someone immune to the emotional di...more
Although I agree with the general idea that consumerism has negatively affected our emotional well-being, I'm left with the feeling of being somewhat cheated after plodding through 500 pages of dense and somewhat smug pontificating by the author. His Freudian analyses of the interviewees left me rolling my eyes as well as the way he really ran with the metaphor of the Affluenza Virus. He uses his own terms to describe these social ailments even though they are nothing new: globalisation, materia...more
If you ignore the ultra twee self-help sections at the end of each chapter, this book is absolutely brilliant. Oliver James explores a variety of cultures and looks at how far their affluence has aided their happiness. He argues that there is no link whatsoever between money and satisfaction with our lives, not through platitudes about money not being able to buy us love, but through detailed explorations of the values of the society discussed. Although some of it may need more work as it can be...more
The more I reflect on Oliver James’ ‘Affluenza’ the more it pisses me off.
Initially I was hooked. The case studies and relevant research (references of which are listed in a separate book) form a lively narrative and James discusses the titular ‘virus’ with humour and just the right level of objectivity (initially). Affluenza as a concept isn't brand spanking new – everyone knows money and status are usualy fleeting and hollow goals – but at least this book doesn't promise anything overambitiou...more
Initially I was hooked. The case studies and relevant research (references of which are listed in a separate book) form a lively narrative and James discusses the titular ‘virus’ with humour and just the right level of objectivity (initially). Affluenza as a concept isn't brand spanking new – everyone knows money and status are usualy fleeting and hollow goals – but at least this book doesn't promise anything overambitiou...more
I don't want to give a star rating for this, as I didn't finish it so it seems a little unfair. But in spite of generally agreeing with the idea of Affluenza (have read similar books by Hamilton/Dennis and one based on a US tv series), I just didn't like the author's style.
He quotes statistics, but then draws unsupported conclusions from them. I felt like writing "correlation doesn't equal causation!" in the margins every time he made sweeping generalisations based on anecdotes or tiny details...more
He quotes statistics, but then draws unsupported conclusions from them. I felt like writing "correlation doesn't equal causation!" in the margins every time he made sweeping generalisations based on anecdotes or tiny details...more
(2.5 stars)
The author makes some interesting observations, and some of the real people that he interviews are truly disturbed and disturbing. As the title suggests, the author compares the relentless (but ultimately empty) pursuit of material posessions to a contagious disease, "Affluenza". He takes this idea further by observing how certain countries and societies are less affected by this disease. Within the social fabric of these places there may lie the answer to avoiding the problems eviden...more
The author makes some interesting observations, and some of the real people that he interviews are truly disturbed and disturbing. As the title suggests, the author compares the relentless (but ultimately empty) pursuit of material posessions to a contagious disease, "Affluenza". He takes this idea further by observing how certain countries and societies are less affected by this disease. Within the social fabric of these places there may lie the answer to avoiding the problems eviden...more
According to the author of this popular psychology book, ‘affluenza’ is a psychological virus stalking the world. Its symptoms are depression and other emotional distress, which are now of higher prevalence than they have ever been. The cause is the version of capitalism that most Western countries, and many others nowadays, subscribe to. Basically the sufferers want too much in the way of material goods, and haven’t sorted out their emotional or spiritual needs (I mean spiritual in the non-reli...more
I really enjoyed this book and found it very thought provoking, not so much in principal, as I already subscribed to most of the points raised, but it lead me to question some fundamental aspects of how I live my life today, and what I plan to do with my future - and most importantly, why. There were times I felt the case studies of the super rich were not entirely relevant for me, though they were interesting, I don't expect to be joining the top 1% anytime soon and after reading this book am n...more
Sep 20, 2011
Caroline Gordon
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
psychology,
society
This book has some really wholesome ideas that we all need to hear now and again. It reminds us that we aren't defined by the brand of our shoes, the cost of our watch and the postcode we live in, it reminds us to be grateful for our abundant lives. However, somewhere around 2/3 of the way through James starts on a diatribe about day care and I start to understand his assumption is that we all work for money, that people using day care must only be doing it because they want more possessions - w...more
Dec 13, 2012
Jo
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
read-in-2012
An interesting central idea, but the delivery was spoiled by the author's pompous style, unscientific analysis, outdated knowledge of psychiatry, and completely unrealistic solutions. He travelled round the world, chatting to a few people in each country he visited, and then bases his whole assessment of that country on his conclusions. I was somewhat relieved to do the quiz at the beginning and discover at I almost don't have affluenza: I only failed on the question about hiding the signs of ag...more
This book provides a thought-provoking, candid, incisive and insightful account of how, plagued by consumerism and materialism, individuals living in contemporary society, especially those living in countries which are English-speaking or have been influenced by Americanisation, are experiencing or have become especially susceptible to emotional/psychological distress or dissatisfaction.
This, as the author argues, is a result of people becoming fixated with pursuing external/material goals for t...more
This, as the author argues, is a result of people becoming fixated with pursuing external/material goals for t...more
Jul 15, 2008
Nickie
marked it as binned
You know, I suddenly realised I couldn't be bothered reading this. It seems too journalistic to be properly scientifically and accurately psychological. All of these references to the 'virus' of materialism and all of the claims about human behaviour which aren't without truth, but aren't backed up with any meaningful research either.
In the first 30 pages he contrasts the life of a stock broker and an illegal immigrant taxi driver. The stock broker is wealthy, lacks empathy and treats women tre...more
In the first 30 pages he contrasts the life of a stock broker and an illegal immigrant taxi driver. The stock broker is wealthy, lacks empathy and treats women tre...more
What I thought this book was going to be: A Malcolm Gladwell-esque meditation on how and why we've bought into a culture of aspiration and materialism. What this book is: a thinly veiled self-help book pushing the author's sexist and, at times, Pollyanna-ish* agenda. For example, he thinks that not only should women stay in an unhappy marriage for the benefit of the children (EVEN if it's an *abusive* marriage!), but that women should stay home to raise a child until the age of 3; addressing the...more
May 07, 2007
Jonty Rushforth
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in how society impacts mental health
Shelves:
psychowattchamacallems
I'm still thinking this book through after finishing it a few days ago. Not that it's that amazing, just that it has a lot of interesting perspectives. Oliver James's last book (they f*** you up) was all about how your experiences in your first four years of life impact your later personality and development. In this next work he uses similar tools to look at how the wider society impacts the mind, and largely focussing on how what he calls Selfish Capitalism increases the level of mental illnes...more
I read the first few chapters and skimmed the rest. There's nothing especially outrageous here, I would say it's mostly common sense. What annoyed me what his setting up a thesis - the more money you have the more likely you are to be unhappy - and 'proving' it by interviewing thoroughly unpleasant - in some cases sociopathic - people who happen to be enormously wealthy. Overall I found it a lazy book, poorly thought out and badly executed. Shame because I'd love to read a 'good' book on the top...more
Jan 11, 2012
Yvonne
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People I hate
First of all I have to confess that I didn't actually finish this. This is the first book that I've refused to EVER finish; not because it's the worst book I've ever read, but just because it is so very very repetitive and so long. It really was proving too much of a struggle to get through and, dammit, reading should be enjoyable even when the book is bad! Life is too short; I'm off to read some Roald Dahl.
At some point I'll get round to ranting about why this book is a terrible waste of time.
I...more
At some point I'll get round to ranting about why this book is a terrible waste of time.
I...more
This book needs to be added to every school curriculum and given to new parents. Exploring the idea of the goals we set ourselves and the increasing belief in wanting. It shows up how wrong society and our own concepts of life can be. So much thought and self analysis will come from reading. Though towards the end his distinct beliefs are truly rammed home, you will still be able to reflect as an individual. A must read.
Quite profound ideas... I read the first few chapters with huge interest, but skim read the rest. The author seems to already formed an opinion, and I feel that he over-generalised alot of his 'research' findings. He interviewed a few people from one city, and then formed some sort of stereotype idea of that particular city or country based on those interviewees. I still enjoy reading his ideas though.
Apr 26, 2012
Bex
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own-hard-copy,
non-fiction
This book was frustrating from an academic point of view for reasons shared by other reviewerss but the central hypothesis is so intuitively true that I enjoyed it anyway. It was particularly interesting to re-read this in the light of the London riots and to reflect on the effects of gross inequality and selfish capitalism.
In a globe trotting psychological survey of the world Oliver James demonstrates how rampant consumerism is making us sick. The sad truth is that most of us have been conditioned to consume and look for personal meaning in consumption. He makes somewhat helpful recommendations on we can resist this on a personal and societal basis. He writes with a winning whimsical style but does better with individual application rather than collective ones.
Still making up my mind about this book - fascinating reading but I'm already starting to question some of his statements. Even if I don't agree with every word he says, it's still a great starting point for discussion with other people - anyone else want to borrow it after I've finished?
I wouldn't say this book has changed my life but there are some interesting concepts in it. Made me think and most books which go on about how evil capitalism is just bore me. It's true, we over consume but I like the way Oliver James told me off for over consuming and his anecdotes are funny!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Oliver James is a clinical psychologist, writer and television documentary producer. He also frequently broadcasts on radio and acts as a pundit on television.
More about Oliver James...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
