I'm not sure that Yuyutsu has got it right in saying that the ultimate insolence is to poo on a stranger's doorstep, then ring the bell and ask for toilet paper. My Uncle Jack, who knew a lot about such things though very little about anything else, used to say that the ultimate insolence was to pee under a lady's front door, then ring the bell and ask her how far down the hall the pee had reached. That's unadulterated insolence!

The author seems to me to describe what a significant number of
people are experiencing but not understanding what is behind their
economic situation.

He touches on the primary cause but has not explained how it has had
such significant effect. The economic malaise in Europe and the USA
has not had the direct and obvious connection to energy but it is there
under the surface.

The cost of energy has been removing any surplus available for what
some have called the "Happiness Factor".
It has now reached the point where it is starting to eat jobs that are
not absolutely essential but may soon start on the wider economy.

An example might be further increases in the unaffordability of
housing due to the drying up of funds for lending. Multiple family
houses may become more common.
It will certainly more energy efficient.

What has been happening in the US & Europe and the effects of energy
costs is well forecast in Richard Heinbergs book The End of Growth.
I recommend it as real insight read.