Background
problems as consumption patterns hold constant but income falls." Because, the thing is, the
desire doesn't go away. The manufacture of desire won't slow down, even if the manufacture of
everything else does.
Questions for Analysis and Discussion
1. According to Flood, what was America's cultural attitude toward "decadence"? How has this attitude
changed, and why?
2. Flood gives an example of a Toronto woman lamenting her single-family income. How does this
example support his point?
3. Flood concludes his article with the ominous warning that, "America's decadence has made it
vulnerable." What does he mean? A year after he wrote this article America entered a recession. From
your own perative discuss whether Flood's concerns carry merit.