Things change fast in life.  We don't have a society anymore.  It's a global society and we're all just individuals now.  Everyone for him/herself.    I don't like it, but sorry, I'm not going to be the last one idiotically holding the bag and dreaming of the days when we all just got along.

Distance myself from others for my own sanity?   Check.
Put my own interests above everyone else's?  Check (your article sort of missed emphasizing that one....it's just as important to what's going on these days.)   The world is more cut throat now.  Get used to it or find yourself at the bottom.

- formerly a socialist Canadian, now a "citizen of the world"  and get the F out of my way!