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Zusatztext "The shop-till-you-drop, 'retail therapy' culture may have become more dominant in the last few years. . . . But are we really any happier for it? One person who thinks we are not is Robert Frank . . . whose new book, Luxury Fever , has been causing a bit of a stir. . . . The burst of consumerism in the U.S. . . . gives a new bite to these well-rehearsed concerns." Informationen zum Autor Robert H. Frank Klappentext The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed a spectacular rise in gross consumption. With the super-rich setting the pace, everyone spent furiously in a desperate attempt to keep up. As cars and houses grew larger and more expensive, the costs were enormous--not only monetarily but also socially. Consumers spent more time at work and less time with their family and friends; they saved less money and borrowed more. In this book, Robert Frank presents the first comprehensive and accessible account of these financial choices. Frank uses scientific evidence to demonstrate how these spending patterns have not made us happier or healthier. "Luxury Fever" offers an exit from the rat race, suggesting ways to curb the culture of excess and restore true value to our lives. Zusammenfassung The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed a spectacular rise in gross consumption. With the super-rich setting the pace, everyone spent furiously in a desperate attempt to keep up. As cars and houses grew larger and more expensive, the costs were enormous--not only monetarily but also socially. Consumers spent more time at work and less time with their family and friends; they saved less money and borrowed more. In this book, Robert Frank presents the first comprehensive and accessible account of these financial choices. Frank uses scientific evidence to demonstrate how these spending patterns have not made us happier or healthier. Luxury Fever offers an exit from the rat race, suggesting ways to curb the culture of excess and restore true value to our lives. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgments ix 1. Money Well Spent? 1 2. The Luxury Spending Boom 14 3. Why Now? 3 4. The Price of Luxury 45 5. Does Money Buy Happiness? 6 6. Gains That Endure 7 7. Our Forgotten Future 94 8. Excellent! Relatively Speaking 107 9. Why Context and Position Are So Important 122 10. Smart for One! Dumb for All 146 11. Understanding Conspicuous Consumption 15 12. Self Help? 17 13. Other Failed Remedies 19 14. Luxury Without Apology 20 15. Equity Versus Efficiency: The Great Trade-Off? 227 16. We Can't Afford It? 25 17. Cash on the Table 266 Endnotes 281 References 295 Index 317 ...
