Pretentious and Self involved?

Of course, I am. I think human beings have no choice but to be. Isn't that our survival instinct? The very nature of science and biology? The very thing we call human nature?
Perhaps we become less self involved when we take on a pet, or a partner or a child. But, isn't it also for them that we become a little more self involved. Aren't we a little more aware of the consequences of our actions and the positive or negative impact outside stimulus has on us and our "dependents?" Or, isn't that the way it should be? If we don't look out for ourselves and our loved ones, who will? If we aren't at all self involved, who would want to be involved with that self that doesn't want to be involved with itself? Ugh.

And as for pretension, why not be? My life would be a lot sadder if I wasn't at all pretentious.