Affluenza: Rampant consumerism erodes us

[superconnected]

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Beware the Affluenza Virus. An epidemic of mindless consumerism is sweeping the world with the compulsive pursuit of money and possessions making people richer but sadder.

That is the stark warning issued by best-selling British psychologist Oliver James after a "mind tour" of seven countries chronicling how depression envelopes the affluent.

"We have become addicted to having rather than being and confusing our needs with our wants," he told Reuters in an interview to mark publication on Thursday of "Affluenza."

Globe-trotting from New York to Sydney, Singapore and Shanghai via Copenhagen, Moscow and Auckland, he concluded after interviewing 240 people that "selfish capitalism" has run riot.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070125/hl_nm/rampant_consumerism_dc

[superconnected]

1. personality disorders - hmmm I sense a possible link to suv ownership...

"Studies in lots of different nations show that if you place high value on those things, you are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety, addictions and personality disorders," he said.

James concluded, "People in English-speaking nations are twice as likely to be mentally ill as people living in mainland western European nations."

[midnight]

2. Selfish capitalism is running our congress. Can you

imagine that they cannot do with out a pay raise, but to raise minimum wage is not acceptable. I see it in so many of their decisions.

[Blue_Tires]

3. TTT n/t