British psychologist and author Oliver James has undertaken an eight-country “mind tour”, assessing each of them for the level of ‘affluenza’ permeating within, the results of which are documented in his now released book, Affluenza.
The subjects of James’s examination include Australia, Britain, the US, Russia, Denmark, China and Singapore. But of all the places he visited, it was Sydney, claims James, that is the most struck by the virus, which is essentially a measure of the impact of consumerism on self-worth and mental wellbeing. Sydneysiders, he argues, live in the most “vacuous of cities“, determining that it is a city obsessed with perfection: the ideal body, wealth, property and all that modern capitalism involves. Adelaide and Melbourne, on the other hand, aren’t as materialistic.
Brigid Delaney’s treatment of the book offers a good summary of the content, citing examples of James’s studies - specifically, people he interviewed for the purposes of research.
I’ll confess that I am a Sydneysider myself, but I have been to other parts of Australia, including two trips to Melbourne in the past year where I got a taste of the city. Given that the less populated areas of Australia would be markedly different to Sydney (let’s forget Adelaide for a moment), Melbourne is a city also dominated by big business and tall buildings, and lots of shopping outlets. And, while there is an undeniable difference in overall culture, atmosphere and layout, I couldn’t mark Sydney as more consumerist, capitalist or body-obsessed.
Given that books of this nature will always have their limitations (unless the author interviews every single person residing in the country being studied), I think the inability to truly assess the situation adequately diminishes the value of the treatise. I found his conclusions quite startling, particularly given that he suggests Sydneysiders need to read more. I love reading, but I don’t think I can be bothered to read his book, particularly as it just sounds like a pretentious take on consumerism and happiness.
But it got me thinking. We know Sydney is prettier and has better coffee and bookstores than, say, Melbourne, but what are general perceptions? Is Sydney a city riddled with consumerist tendencies, haunted by shallow pursuits of the ideal body and hungry for greater wealth more than other Australian cities?
And importantly, what of the rest of the world? What of pulsing, vibrant New York, which Jones argues is similar to Sydney, both being affected by “the proverbial bottomless pit”? I’d be interested to know what places people would rate as being most affected with the affluenza virus.
4 comments ↓
Being a tad cheeky, I’d say that Dhaka is as vacuously materialistic as anywhere I’ve been. For those who can afford it, anyway. Ditto Karachi.
And what do you MEAN Sydney has better coffee than Melbourne?
Amal,
I am surprised that you as a Sydneysider found the courage to leave civilization and venture into the rural areas such as Melbourne. I am also surprised that in Sydney you were able to find a map of anything other than Sydney.
Sydney is Tajudin Hillai and Alan Jones, Melbourne is full of interfaith candle burning peace train stuff. Sydney has a harbour, Melbourne has gray skies even when its not raining. Sydney has Rugby Union, Melbourne has Gay Rules.
Sydney has cocaine and crystal meth, Melbourne has self righteousness.
In Adelaide I believe they turn off the traffic candles at 10 pm. Adelaide has become so cosmopolitan that one can even order spaghetti Bolognese or chop suey (but chinese people still get pointed at in the main street). Formal dress is ugh boots and a freshly pressed flannelette shirt that hides one tattoos and is suitable for court appearances or funerals..
Perth is full of money hungry chavs, just like Sydney,” on the make and on the take” and a romantic first date is to take ones girlfriend to a Klan rally (sort of like a masked ball).
In Hobart the busiest building is the cetnertlink office and the central fish and chip- shop (for that special occasion).
In Darwin I believe beer is cheaper than water and the government subsidizes drug use, and for ones annual ablution there is always a public fountain.
but it is brisbane where the real bogans live.
Agh……thank God for The Gold Coast
Albert, you read correctly. Have you tried the coffee in Melbourne? Well, I have and I am still trying to forget it. Sydney comes up trumps in this respect (no surprises there).
What I did drink was some watery, filmy concoction masquerading as a caffeine hit while there… But please do let me know where real coffee is available in Melbourne should I return there again.
Tobias, thanks for your insightful comments; your line about traffic candles being turned off deserves special mention.
I didn’t realise Melbournites had such a sense of humour (except when it comes to their coffee).
All I can say in my defence about going to Melbourne is that sometimes there is value in investigating “the other” (twice). I think we should all think about that.
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