Flow is fine. I expected more out of it, given all the other books I've read that reference it.
We live in easily the most affluent, well-off, provided-for, comfortable society that's ever existed - yet we're less satisfied with life (on average) than our grandparents. A heavy majority of those who wake up today in first-world countries can expect to have a roof over their heads, protection from the elements and most natural nuisances, enough food (typically much better food than was possible 100 years ago), and access to the infinite vastness of entertainment & conveniences - yet the average "happiness" hasn't grown.
<aside> 👉 We've improved our material powers 1000x, but made almost no advancement in terms of improving the content of experience.
</aside>
Summary of our "progress" as a nation:
Still in the intro of the book, but there seems to be a focus on controlling things - and how that's a good thing. Society controls its members to ensure the benefit of the whole. The individual who doesn't control their biological desires somewhat will not make for a happy individual. They'll end up in jail or just continually frustrated that they can't eat everything in the candy aisle or sleep with whoever whenever, regardless of how that person feels. Societal controls use these built-in biological imperatives as the arms of their control. They restrict your ability to pursue pleasures, or in some places inflict physical pain.
We are putting off satisfaction partially because society demands we do so. We are sold things we don't really need because society says that's what will bring us success and contentment. We shouldn't blindly fold to the whims of society, nor the antithesis of that. The goal is a balance of goals set for us by society and by ourselves.
The book is complete by page 20!