Were our heroes back in the day really any better than the people today?
They were flawed too no doubt, but we celebrated their successes, not their victimhood. Now, it is the biggest victim who wins, even if they are not worthy of the prize. I remember when the change was made at schools in Australia where "everyone gets a prize" no matter what they did - the start of the end.
I can't argue with you there. We were definitely made of tougher stuff back in the day. It's a general wussification of the world. Kid's don't even stand in the cold and wait for the bus anymore, their parents let them sit in the car until the bus comes!