It wasn't hyperbole, it was an accurate translation. You probably just didn't like how shallow you seem to the rest of the thinking world.
You must be losing the argument.
It is shallow to work hard, to want a nice house in a nice neighborhood. It is shallow to agree to common rules for living in a neighborhood. It is shallow to be a person who wants the old American dream. Getting rich is shallow to you?
Dude, the chip on your shoulder tells me you have given up on it.