To afford what is considered a normal, middle class lifestyle requires an individual to work twice as much as people did in 1948 (During 73). While "some cynics" say that additional leisure time and a shorter work week or year would result in simply more time spent in front of the television, the authors raise the intriguing possibility that the reason Americans watch so much television is a lack of creative energy. Americans work more hours than their European counterparts, are twice as productive at the office or factory than their grandparents, yet have less leisure time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. True enjoyment...

Sports, poetry, religion, and time spent with family are more valuable than the items that can be bought with money. Perhaps the current recession will teach Americans this lesson, as more Americans are unemployed and are forced to make do with less, and to take greater enjoyment in the free things in life.
Work Cited

During, Alan T. "Are we happy yet?" From EcoPsychology: Restoring the earth healing the mind. Edited by Lester R. Brown & James Hillman. Sierra Club…