Reviews
The Happiness Industry: How the Government and Big Business Sold Us Well-Being by William Davies
jmatkinson1's review
3.0
Through exploring the pursuit of happiness via economics, sociology, psychology etc William Davies tries to present some of the more recent ideas of well-being as spurious. There is a degree of cynicism throughout the book but also a realisation that depression has a huge impact on society. By acknowledging depression as a true state of being and exploring the causes Davies wants to show that the roots of this go far deeper than just feelings. However as some point he notes that depression has a huge impact and that as a society we are close to understanding the triggers and therefore the potential cures. Despite not wanting to feel aligned with the positive psychology movement, all Davies does is actually give support to this premise.
A rather confused and confusing book, great on history and fact but less so on opinion.
A rather confused and confusing book, great on history and fact but less so on opinion.
msy's review
3.0
In the age of data breaches and news articles detailing how apps are constantly spying on us, the length to which government and marketing firms will go to to be able to determine the attitudes of their citizens or potential buyers is no surprise.
The information in this book shines a light on how much of what we are sold - ways to reduce stress, ways to combat depression, how to maximize happiness - are all products and services solving problems that weren't even named until fairly recently. One example from the book: the term stress existed only to describe physical forces acting upon metals, and was not applied to describe a force or state of the human psyche until early in the 20th century.
Reading this leads one to be mindful of the many artificial ways we are sold happiness. Hopefully it also leads to clairvoyance, for those who require it, on how to truly work towards that happiness that doesn't require buying a product/service or ingesting a pill.
The information in this book shines a light on how much of what we are sold - ways to reduce stress, ways to combat depression, how to maximize happiness - are all products and services solving problems that weren't even named until fairly recently. One example from the book: the term stress existed only to describe physical forces acting upon metals, and was not applied to describe a force or state of the human psyche until early in the 20th century.
Reading this leads one to be mindful of the many artificial ways we are sold happiness. Hopefully it also leads to clairvoyance, for those who require it, on how to truly work towards that happiness that doesn't require buying a product/service or ingesting a pill.
mattbrosseau's review
4.0
I mostly read nonfiction books, so I'm well accustomed to a book not being an enthralling read. I typically prefer facts and figures to flowery language or colorful illustrations of the information I'm trying to learn.
So, when I say that this book was "dry" I mean that it was utterly Saharan in delivery. This book has incredible information in it, it is filled with critical data about how we're being manipulated as a people by those who understand the way we thing, but it is not something that is easily approachable.
My biggest grievance against this book is that information it seeks to impart is important and it needs to do so in a way that is more approachable to people who haven't pursued a higher education focused on marketing or psychology.
So, when I say that this book was "dry" I mean that it was utterly Saharan in delivery. This book has incredible information in it, it is filled with critical data about how we're being manipulated as a people by those who understand the way we thing, but it is not something that is easily approachable.
My biggest grievance against this book is that information it seeks to impart is important and it needs to do so in a way that is more approachable to people who haven't pursued a higher education focused on marketing or psychology.
lisaotto's review
5.0
Can't recommend enough. I found it particularly interesting that the author would often not state his most radical ideas up front (or at all) but provide examples/argument to lead the reader there.
leohnaw's review
3.0
read for soc 4280 - was really excited about this book at the start, but it was like the author got too excited to talk about the origins of modern capitalism and the way we historically root modern ideas of mental health in utilitarianism that he rushed through how it translates in modern day. still a very interesting read, and i appreciate the conversational tone