Avner Offer suggests that rising incomes do not make us happier as we have a difficult time postponing gratification. This is one of numerous interesting ideas which Offer proposes in his book 'The Challenge of Affluence' which he gives a nice overview of in this interview.
2 comments:
Very interesting indeed although one wonders is this social conservatism in new clothes rather like Putnam perhaps? I wonder is his concept of "regard" another name for affection or trust rather like Bowlby using "attachment" because it sounded more scientific than "love".
There's definitely a lot of overlap in the concepts. I think the regard Offer talks about hits more on ideas of honour than of trust. Maybe giving gifts inspires an attitude of affectionate respect in those who recieve them and the associated "warm glow" of honour one feels.
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