Hello, I'm Special: How Individuality Became the New Conformity Book

A great book that would be much better but for the fact that, near the end, the author begins essentially going on tirades against capitalism, globalization, and other things that have done much, MUCH more good than bad in the world.

That was annoying.

For once, I'd like to read about culture and society without getting liberal/socialist bullshit thrown in with the bargain.

Also, frankly, I can't relate to any of the people he talks about--the ones who stand in a parking lot for hours to audition for some stupid American Idol spinoff, or the people who commit ridiculous acts in public to get attention, or the people who send their kids to an expensive summer camp to turn them into rock stars. Apparently, everyone in the 21st century is motivated by "I'm special" and "me me me" and, basically, a lust for fame.

Um...what?

Those people are the exception, not the norm. The only reason they SEEM like the norm is because they're so damn good at getting attention. But everyone else I know? Me, my friends, my family, my coworkers, the people in my community--here's what we're motivated by. We're motivated by love of family, by our desire to make the world better, by our various religious and ethnic traditions, by love for boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, or wives. Not because by a desire for attention from the whole world.

*shrug*

Just my two cents.