Yeah, it would make sense as a reaction to very-entitled people. If that's the case, though, I would have assumed he'd realize its past its pull-by date: younger people seem to me to be more likely emotionally crushed rather than emotionally extravagant.

(That is, if a horse is over-enthusiastic, it makes sense to "rein it in;" but if a horse is under-enthusiastic, it makes sense to "spur it on.")