I call bull shit on this one!
That's a fatalistic view of the world. It's also extremely black and white (only "on" or "off"). I agree that many are greedy and self-absorbed and have an attitude of "what have you done for me lately??". But there are also many who are hard working, kind, sincere, gracious and thoughtful. So it appears you are either hanging out with the wrong people or your whole family is that way, which would be sad.
Unlike the other comments, I agree with the author. I'd like to add that when I look around, so much of other people's actions are tinged with a sheen of self-serving interest at the expense of others. As a race, this worries me.
Welcome to the real world. It is not common from people to see through the facade of glitz and glamor and come to an understanding of how things are. Know this though, not everyone is that way, and now that you understand how things are, it's up to you to participate or not in the avarice.
More and more people are deciding to turn it off, tune it out, and not keep up with the Jones; but that is a decision each must make for themselves.