What do you think about this crazy life that a lot of people live nowadays?

I think the answer to your question -- Was it always this way? -- is "yes." In the 1930s there was a popular song, "Puttin' on the Ritz." People have always been tempted to "put on the ritz," whatever the "ritz" consisted of in their era. At present, the character you describe is indeed putting it on, and like his fellow ritz-ers of other times, he will very likely pay for it before the game is over. Sure, we all would like to have strength and popularity, but the difference is what length different people will go to in order to put that ritz on.Some manage to keep it within the bounds of rational thought and behavior. Others, like the guy you describe, just go all out. You and I may join in pitying them.