He who knows he has enough is rich.
-- Chinese Fortune Cookie
In his book Status Anxiety, French philosopher Alain de Botton explores the roots of modern angst as it relates to one's need to feel successful, respected, even loved by a chosen social group. The quest for "status", according to Botton, is as fundamental as the need for romantic love; yet, remarkably, for most of us, is not as readily acknowledged, nor easily attained--and often, represents a source of great fear and insecurity.
Botton's work provides a window on important social and political issues in contemporary Western society: our need for more and more material success, the paradox of great prosperity and great anxiety, and particularly in America, the troubling conflict driven by a war over "culture issues."
Hang with me after the break as I come to grips with "status anxiety", and apply its lessons to some of our most vexing contemporary social issues.
Read More