Intriguing review of the author's research into the ironic way in which pursuit of materialist goals, which promise one a happier, more successful life, actually result in a more stressful and unfulfilled existence. After empirically documenting this relationship--which should be known by anyone with their eyes open--he goes on to suggest reasons for this outcome:

1) Pursuit of materialism crowds out time and opportunity to spend on more rewarding goals, such as building human relationships;

2) Because materialism builds upon rewards and praise as its motivation, it works against building autonomy and authenticity, which finds its drive in the intrinsic interest and enjoyment of doing things; and

3)Materialism leads the person to have lower self-esteem and sense of self-worth, a gap that consumerist culture pounds into their heads can be filled by buying the next new thing. This is an unendingly recursive process. ( )

Its MIT press book, also available on MIT press ebooks portal on ipublishcentral http://mitpress-ebooks.mit.edu/product/high-price-materialism

http://mattluce.com/blog/2006/01/24/the-high-price-of-materialism/ ( )