Negativity

I think the implications are relatively plain within our society.  We have individuals within our society that have little to no education, or the education was ineffective, and are completely happy about that fact and seem to embrace their ignorance.  In my experience they tend to be strongly opinionated yet have no actual knowledge of the given topics are are completely uninterested in learning about the topic.  I feel that this trend towards self-worth instead of actually educating those individuals and letting them realize that failure is a part of life we're doing them and everyone that is ever forced to interact with them a disservice.  If someone fails yet we praise them for trying hard we're teaching them that trying is more important than succeeding.  And they don't even necessarily try hard!!  They just make a token effort to appease whomever is around them and call it good.  I do not support that behavior and will not support that behavior.  Failing is failing.  While I might appreciate their effort and attempt, I cannot condone blanket praise for all attempts.  Sometimes you suck at something and just have to deal with that fact, not sugar coat it and make excuses.
As far as technology playing a role, I'm forced to agree.  It seems that the outlets for people to post meaningless items, "I'm eating lunch and it's vegetarian", has enabled folks to gain attention for the most mundane of activities.  The attention fuels more inanity and the cycle is perpetuated again and again.  Tying that into the above paragraph when something that is perceived as bad occurs; breakup, failing an exam, etc, they are given sympathy instead of being asked if they studied or what prompted the breakup.  Thus removing the negative component and any perceived failing on their part.  Obviously it must be someone else that is screwing them, not their own lack of effort.