Status Anxiety - Channel 4 - 2004

Writer and presenter Alain de Botton challenges the idea that what we do, where we live and what we own, should define our status and determine our happiness.

The documentary film Status Anxiety (2004), presented by Alain de Botton and based on his book of the same name.

We are richer than ever before. We live longer, own more property and induldge in greater luxuries. So why aren't we getting any happier? One concern, above all, keeps us awake at night: status. Am I a success? Have I made it? Do I have the right car, the right clothes? Do people think I'm a loser and should I really care? Writer and presenter Alain de Botton challenges the idea that what we do, where we live and what we own, should define our status and determine our happiness.

Why doesn't money (usually) buy happiness? Alain de Botton breaks new ground for most of us, offering reasons for something our grandparents may well have told us, as children.

It is rare, and pleasing, to see a substantial philosophical argument sustained as well as it is in this documentary. De Botton claims that we are more anxious about our own importance and achievements than our grandparents were. This is status anxiety.

Alain quotes philosophical writings, such as Democracy in America, a report by Alexis de Tocqueville on his visit to the USA in 1831. De Tocqueville noted that American equality, notable in those times, was accompanied by a climate of envy.

We jump to present-day USA, and see what, to de Botton, are some awful examples of The American Way. A Christian preaches get rich. A steelworker tells of his insecure life in an industry being closed down through others' love of money.

Our protagonist points out the advantage of high status: those with high status will enjoy the care and attention of the world. Then joins this advantage with the illusion, or attempt at meritocracy in the USA, mentioning Jefferson's notion of an aristocracy of talent.