Now, modern American culture seems to have come up with a new activity. You can think about money, which is exactly what everyone is encouraged to do.
Television devotes two entire networks to financial news.
There are several nightly business reports. On every news or quasi news show a money manager frequently advises the public about getting richer. Where once there were lofty magazines like Fortune and Forbes, now there are dozens of down and dirty rags like Smart Money. The Wall Street Journal is riding high. The Clinton administration is riding high.