Using humor and compelling stories, this wonderful book, based on an acclaimed PBS television show, delves into the personal, social, economic, and environmental costs of over-consumption -- and what we can do to beat the "all-consuming bug" that’s infecting the planet. It ably argues against the conventional wisdom that addressing overconsumption will require us to "give up" the good life. Indeed, the authors assert we’re already giving up the good life by sacrificing personal health and sanity, family closeness, and ecological stability for electronic gadgets, fantasy vacations, cheap socks and underwear. Affluenza presents symptoms (such as Stress of Excess, Family Convulsions, Dilated Pupils); historical and cultural data; and proven cures. An accessible, even humorous overview of a difficult subject, Affluenza suggests strategies for rebuilding families and communities, and for respecting the earth and its biological rules.