We live in a culture today that is filled with self-glory magnified by the power of social media and self-promotion. It’s so powerful that we think fame is a must have, like a high school diploma. We forget that it doesn’t matter what brand of clothes we wear, how much money we make or how many twitter followers we have. The limelight is artificial and empty.

We create facades on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We use our public profiles to elevate our confidence and construct bigger, faster and stronger avatars.

We live in a generation that values Swagger over character.

Let’s take a look at the actions of Baltimore Orioles’ third baseman and prodigy Manny Machado against the Oakland Athletics.

Before this game, I thought of Machado as a low-key, quiet and level-headed player that was getting it done the right way.

Hostility between Machado and the A’s started in the first game (of a three-game series), when Machado reacted to the way A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson tagged him on an infield groundout.

He sent Machado off balance, back pedaling towards second base, forcing an awkward fall. Machado then slammed his helmet on the ground and angrily approached Donaldson. The benches cleared.

Later in the third and final game of the series, Machado hit A’s catcher Derek Norris in the head with his backswing, forcing Norris out of the game. Instead of showing any concern for Norris, Machado stared directly ahead and smiled.

The A’s seemed to have enough with Machado’s antics, firing back with reliever Fernando Abad throwing two straight inside fastballs on Machado. Machado launched his bat toward the infield giving the A’s reliever a “death stare.” Machado and Abad were ejected from the game and the benches cleared for the second time in three days, both instigated by Machado.

Machado insisted that the bat “slipped” from his hand. We all saw what happened, and I don’t think anyone believed that is the case.

Oakland Athletics catcher John Jaso was one of the first ones to respond to Machado’s antics (ESPN reports). “There is a certain respect that you have to have for this game, and it’s a blessing for all of us to be where we are, and when I feel like someone doesn’t see that and doesn’t respect the game as such, it doesn’t sit well with me, and I really don’t like it. And that’s what I felt. I felt there was disrespect for the game coming from one player, and guys like that need to be taught a lesson because there’s millions of other people that would love to have the spot he has.”

Sure Machado is only 21, but I don’t think youth and inexperience is an excuse.

Another example of a “Swagger Generation” product is quarterback Johnny Manziel. Manziel, who was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the twenty-third pick, is a highly touted prospect but brings a lot of baggage. Manziel is known for being an “electric” and “exciting” football player because of the plays he makes on his feet.

I think Manziel will be a straight up bust, but it’s his off the field issues that have me concerned. Is Manziel ready to abandon his hard-partying identity and be a face of an NFL franchise? We don’t need to say “wait and see.” He will drown in his own fame fast.

As much as I like Robert Griffin III aka “RG3”, he isn’t all what he is hyped up to be and is another product of the “Swagger Generation.” Griffin, who led the Redskins in his first season to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth, suffered a torn ACL against the Seahawks in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. Instead of putting all of his energy towards getting his knee back to 100% during the offseason, he spent his time making commercials and ads promoting his recovery, “All in for Week 1.” Studies show it takes over nine months to recover from a torn ACL. Griffin put himself first in front of his team with a “if I don’t play, the whole team will be in shambles” type of attitude.

The Redskins finished that season 3-13 and the coaches were fired because they relied on one inflated, weak-kneed personality instead a team of skilled athletes.

Who’s to blame? Coaching? Parents? Social media? Everyone could use a reality check and value swagger less and self-character more.