In the UK we are increasingly engrossed by entertainment: we devote more time to it than sleep and spend more money on it than food and drink. The aim of entertainment is to create a make-believe situation in which emotions can be excited and discharged without affecting real life. While entertainment has its proper place, it can become a preoccupation, dominating our thoughts and sapping our emotional energy. When this happens, the 'real' world of action starts to appear comparatively dull and tedious and this, in turn, undermines social cohesion. Our increasing use of entertainment is, then, threatening our wellbeing.