Hyper-capitalism — also called late-stage capitalism — is what happens when material resources, lifestyle activities, and everything in between becomes both commodified and consumable. In hyper-capitalistic economies, products get invented that no one needs or wants. Celebrities are revered like gods. Inequity is everywhere, and citizens internalize the idea that their worth is measured by some mysterious combination of career success and amassed material goods.

Many argue that the United States has entered its hyper-capitalist era, as Americans report that the relentless demands of trying to keep up results in working longer hours, increasing loneliness, and lowered life satisfaction.

On today's show: A conversation with New York Times bestselling author Kirsten Powers about the ways in which Americans are experiencing the effects of hyper-capitalism in real time.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] A laundry list of hyper-capitalism's consequences in 2024

[11:00] Europe doesn't consume way America does. They're not as lonely, either

[15:00] Taking a good, hard look at our disordered American beliefs

[19:00] Implications associated with celebrity worship

[26:00] Pay for what you get? Not in this case! Debunking the privatized healthcare myth

[33:00] Musings on nationwide learned helplessness