Affluenza is going around

"Affluenza, n. a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more."
This classic book, based on the film of the same name is not only an overview of the social, emotional and financial complications that arise from the current American standard of living; but also a prescription for a cure. The authors outline the symptoms, causes and treatment for this all pervasive condition in three sections. Section one describes the various signs and symptoms of affluenza including excessive buying and debt, mcmansions and urban assault vehicles, 80 hour work weeks and environmental destruction. It also tackles the less tangible but more disturbing effects of nature deficit disorder, marketing to children, loss of community and the oppression of impoverished workers to provide low cost stuff.
In the causes section the authors give the historical precedent for over consumption along with the parallel desire for simplification. It seems that humans (at least Americans) have participated in an unending search for balance between comfort and excess, meaningful work, back breaking work and sloth. Citing the work of Marx, Thoreau and Sitting Bull the authors illustrate the origins of our discontent. Next they show the move into the "age of adfluenza" and the corporate influence. Marketing and lobbying are two of the biggest industries in our country today!
Least you become discouraged, the final section provides comprehensive treatment including a self-test to determine the extent of your own case of affluenza. (I was diagnosed "affluenza-free", but just barely!) As a cure, the authors suggest reassessing your finances and getting out of debt and scaling back your lifestyle. This means buying less and consuming less, but also saying "no" more often and slowing down the hectic pace. This can seem like sensory deprivation and there are definite withdrawal symptoms. To counter those, we need to find connections. Spending time in nature, becoming part of a community (in real life, not on line), and becoming involved in social and environmental activism can fill the void left when consumption ends.
If we all were to take steps to cure "affluenza" our country and our economy would change radically and I believe our "happiness quotient" would rise astronomically. Think about what you really value, I would guess your "values" aren't things.