I haven’t seen the article, but absolutely believe we are a much more narcissistic generation. We are a generation of entitlement, across the board (meaning, not necessarily the frum velt), where people feel they deserve a handout from the government, for doing absolutely nothing in return. We are selfish, and self-absorbed, and out for number one.
That said – I also believe that despite some possessing this flaw, the Jewish people as a whole, and frum people in particular, are the MOST concerned with others’ welfare, with doing chessed, giving tzedaka (because it is the righteous thing to do and not merely charity), and volunteering for hatzalah, chaverim, bikur cholim, more per capita, than any other group of people worldwide.
There is nothing wrong with loving oneself, as long as it does not hurt others, and is not to excess. There is a Tzelem Elokim in all of us, and it SHOULD be loved.