Monday, July 20, 2009

Book Review: The Ego Boom


I hate the idea of a static life. School-work-work-family-retirement. Who wants that anymore? Not our generation, that's for sure.

Such a linear progression belongs to our parents and the older fogies before them. We want everything, and we deserve it. We are capable, competent and won't settle. We are increasingly independent, customized, single and lack community. But do we need community and family anymore? Hell, we don't even need religion. *Gasp*

That's the premise of the book, The Ego Boom by Steve Maich and Lianne George.

"Why the world really does revolve around YOU"

Our generation is entitled and narcissistic. We want the 9-5, vacations, friends, family and good times. We don't value hard work over fun times. We don't want to put the effort in, we don't need to prove ourselves. We've customized our dolls, jeans, commercials, makeup, DNA, burgers, films and condos.
I found this book a fascinating read. I hate to say it, but I do identify with some of the 'entitled' issues our generation has, particularly when it relates to job, job security and lack of loyalty. Let's face it, are corporations loyal to us? Why should we be loyal to a job that would dump us?

Apparently college students of this generation rate on the Narcissistic scale as highly as a celebrity. A celebrity? Jesus. That's pretty bad.

The good news is that our generation is far more likely to become business owners, entrepneurs and skilled independent workers. We don't put up with what the older generation would. We don't have to. We are also more apt to be more positive about the future and our lives and we are much, much wealthier than the past generations. We aren't disenfranchised, we are just not content with the 'status quo' of the older times.

This book is quite good and really tears apart some of the societal expectations, particularly when they come to the relgion and community aspect. True it is sad our generation feels no affinity towards family or community and won't volunteer unless they 'get something' out of it, it's not all bad...Specially when concerning the collapse of religion. (About time, I think!)

Read it. If you are a younger (1970+) generation, you will definitely identify with it.
This book is available at the Whitehorse Public Library, new books section.

1 comment:

  1. Susan, I could not agree with you more I am in the midst of reading this book and being of the 1970's, I do relate and it does say alot of what customization does and the central focus of YOU does to the rest of how the world behaves. I found it quite interesting the points found in how the marketing world has attached itself to the now subliminal messages where all products and services are geared to the YOU. As I read I smile.

    Great post

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