Both books highlight a disconnect between material wealth and personal happiness, suggesting that as societies become more affluent, individuals do not report greater levels of subjective well-being. Contrary to expectations, increased affluence does not correlate with improved life satisfaction.

Furthermore, these works contend that the situation may be worsening, with people experiencing a notable decline in overall well-being. Barry Schwartz’s "The Paradox of Choice" emphasizes that the abundance of choices may contribute to this decline, as more options can lead to anxiety and dissatisfaction rather than fulfillment.