Maybe its just that I, like Havrilesky am a middle aged Gen Xer, but these essays hit the spot. Each one was a satisfying delve into the lifelong materialism and hubris of our parents' generation. Sometimes a little too sanctimonious, but who among us has not fallen into that mode at some point? The world, after all, is a hot mess - and Havrilesky is unafraid of pointing it out while reminding us that who we really are, and what we really need can't be bought or borrowed from popular culture.