An Epidemic of Self-Esteem

One thing that emerges from reality-television. It is now simply de rigueur always and everywhere to proclaim one's own talents publicly, to boast about doing a great job always, to predict one's own imminent triumph - and never to engage in self-criticism. I see it on Top Chef, Project Runway, and American Idol (my three faves). I find it unappealing and wonder if the producers demand it. But the epidemic of self-esteem seems to be growing more generally among the young, according to this piece from the Detroit Free Press.