I think even I have had my times of being selfish. Like when I got a car for my sixteenth birthday I didn't let my friends drive it even thought they had their license. I made them get their own car. As people become more selfish and don't find ways to change then I think not to many positive things can come from it. The article is right about people wanting to get ahead in society.
Many people are in constant competition with the rest of the world.
They will do almost whatever it takes to get an edge. But most people will only go so far with this. If someone were going to or does get hurt most people will take the blame for it. But if it is just a minor thing most will let it go because of their own profit by it. Americans take responsibilty for their own actions rather than blame others for not taking responsiblity.