to the mix.. In my opinion, its a mix of video games, internet, and a whole new generation being raised with the attitude that, individually, they are all "special".. Even tho they don't contribute anything at all to anyone but themselves..
Video games are desensitizing people.. Heck, most people play games all day and all night where they are slaughtering people or zombies by the thousands... The play violent games where the payoff is stealing expensive cars etc.. I think people who play these games non-stop are being desensitized to empathy toward other people..
Internet.. Do you ever read articles regarding political or sports bias, followed by reader comments that are SHOCKING in their hatred toward the source of the article..? I think the internet has created a whole generation of what I call "internet tough guys" who act extremely tough and rude, due to their being anonymous and having a screen between them and their targets.. Put a little beer in them and they start acting like that in public..
Factor in that everyone's being raised that their "special" and they tend to think they can act like they want toward everyone else, because those people aren't special like they are..
Then again, it could all be about sex, like you said....
Friendship is like peeing your pants.. Everybody can see it, but only you can feel the warmth..