I’ve heard whatever illness being described as (post-)postmodernism; nihilism; and now materialist reductionism. Same illness, different names.
It only seems in the last half of the last century the illness (almost typed silliness) became pervasive in huge swatch of general public, and not just the few so-called intellectuals.
I tried to read it, but only got a bit of the way in before I was bored to tears. However I think I got the gist since where I thought it was going is where Cliff Notes told me it went.
Needless to say we as a society are wallowing in angst and ennui while the "righteous" Islamists are gaining strength and gaining ground.
When their intentions are finally known to all in the West, there still won't be much resistance I'm afraid. Many will trade nihilist consumerism for Islamic absurdity that appears at least on the surface to have meaning and purpose.