Ina wry take on how contemporary culture is antithetical to happiness, Michael Foley paints a philosophical but hugely entertaining portrait ofthe cultural landscapeand comes up smiling
The good news is that the great thinkers from history have proposed the same strategies for happiness and fulfillmentthe bad news is that these turn out to be the very things most discouraged by contemporary culture. This knotty dilemma is the subject ofMichael Foley'swry and accessible investigation into how the desirable states of well-being and satisfaction are constantly undermined by modern life.He examines the elusive condition of happiness common to philosophy, spiritual teachings, and contemporary psychology, then shows how these are becoming increasingly difficult to apply in a world of high expectations. The common challenges of earning a living, maintaining a relationship, and aging are becoming battlegrounds of existential angst and self-loathing in a culture that demands conspicuous consumption, high-octane partnerships, and perpetual youth. Ultimately, rather than denouncing and rejecting the age, Foley presents an entertaining strategy of not just accepting but embracing today's worldfinding happiness in its absurdity.
