There is a growing epidemic that has infected millions in our society. This illness has been termed “affluenza” by psychologists and social critics who argue that spending and consumption has become such a widespread part of social pathology that  the acts of possessing and spending (excessively) has become a national pastime. Moreover, this social pathology has become even more violent and contagious as more and more people base their self-worth, status, and identity on the size of their wallet.

I recently attended a Zen Buddhist liturgical service discussing this destructive social problem. The monk leading the service referenced a study conducted by NYU’s Child Study Center that supported the idea that affluenza is rampant and troublesome. — And virtually no one is unscathed.

According to the study, symptoms of affluenza include: “debt, overwork, waste, and harm to the environment, leading to psychological disorders, alienation, and distress,” in adult subjects. Children’s symptoms include “lack of motivation … apathy, laziness, or failure to commit to and achieve goals … overindulgence and attitudes of entitlement”.

Click here to learn more about this ailment that plagues us all. I think that it is especially interesting to consider when thinking about discourses about the millenial generation and “generation debt”.