I think that the ability to sort info is at least passingly related to wealth. You have to make realistic decisions when you can't afford mistakes. Of course with more wealth comes education, which helps to an extent with making choices. In the middle seems like the issue. Wealtgy enough to not be discerning, not educated enough to weigh the choices properly. Of course, with the errosion of higher education's focus on critical thinking turning to lip service who knows what factor that plays.
I don't agree that Yers and younger grew up in a time that considering the merits of a choice and acting accordingly is physically impossible.
I'll agree that my generation ('91) many struggle with making good choices. I don't think that's the time we live in, I think it's the culture.