How to Feel Happy

Are Americans indulging in a spending spree to mask the emptiness of their lives? Some social critics make a good living arguing that the answer is “yes.” Pro-capitalist pundits respond that the masses are simply availing themselves of the good life heretofore limited to the aristos. In this era of the Third Way, let us consider a synthesis of these views: Americans have indeed gone on a shopping binge to paper over their angst—and it works! The theory looks more plausible in light of a survey conducted for Adweek by Alden & Associates Marketing Research of Hermosa Beach, Calif.