No matter how often we say that "money can't buy happiness", most of us still believe that if we only had X amount of dollars our problems would be solved. This book asks us to genuinely challenge that belief and consider that once our needs are met, and a few wants are in reach, our true happiness plateaus. After this point more money may mean more stuff, but our sense of fulfillment does not increase.
Like an addict, we continue to work to increase our earnings, to increase our stuff, to increase our happiness, but the cycle is never complete. It turns out, happiness can be achieved with less, but we do need others to reach this goal, so we should work to build community.
By building an economic system within our community we support local merchants and farmers and we break free of the corporate control that ties our happiness to consumption. A local economic community builds relationships and the economic rewards are a byproduct of a mutually beneficial relationship. In this way we reduce the isolation that the global economy allows and become engaged in real human interactions. Community building of this sort can also lead to democratic action. Once we realize how important our economic communities are we are willing to fight for them against corporate undermining. This book inspired me to get off my computer, out of my books, and into conversation with my neighbors. By working together we can build community and change the world!
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