The only Silverberg I remember is Dying Inside, from that time, and your description certainly fits it. But it also fits huge swatches of the more mainstream fiction of the time, and probably of our current time, also.
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Makes sense. Just part of the zeitgeist, at least above a certain income level. I think I related to it less in mainstream 20th century fiction because none of the other young adults I knew felt that way, we weren’t really in a position to be aimless or decadent—too busy trying to keep the rent paid and find our way.
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I’ve only read the 2 Silverberg’s so far - I read Dying Inside too. I enjoyed that one, but not as much as DTE. I have A Time of Changes on the shelf, so will probably read that soon 
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Bought it as holiday treat, but mostly i seem to meditate a lot in the hammock at the house we rented, its so chiill around here in Aveiro Portugal.
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I have TIME OF CHANGES and DYING INSIDE on the ebook “shelf,” haven’t read them yet. His nuts-and-bolts analysis of others’ SF stories, SCIENCE FICTION 101, is enjoyable if you’re into books about writing books.
I really love Ubik, reading it in a hammock would be pretty sweet
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I love it too. I even convince myself sometimes, after repeated readings over the years, that I understand the ending. Maybe in a hammock i would feel more certain …
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I also love Ubik, it really helped me get through a flare of my chronic illness.
I’m reading Vineland right now to prep for One Battle After Another. Really digging it so far!
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the Autobiography of Malcolm X, because every one of his quotes blows my mind and I want to finally learn about him
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this is such a great book. incredible writing.
currently reading his other book “Grace” which is also so far very good too - takes place during the Irish famine
ps really enjoyed this podcast chat with him : Don’t Call Paul Lynch’s Book a... - Read This - Apple Podcasts
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Great thanks! He also appeared on swiss “Sternstunde Philosophie”, but that’s german overdubbed.
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Dying Inside is one of those books that has a SF concept at its core, but reads more or less just like literature. It’s really good - but I definitely had a few questions about his societal views… I’m not sure how much is him being ignorant, how much it was just the times, and how much there is some satirising societal views of the time. I suspect a bit of all 3.
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Even Cowgirls Get The Blues by Tom Robbin’s. The book is a trippy and beautifully written story of a woman on the road and searching for meaning. Tom Robbin’s was one hell of a writer. I love most everything he writes. The movie doesn’t scratch the surface of all the magic in the book.
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Got plenty of time so I got a coupla books on the go at the moment.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Attwood). Thought I’d go back to where it all began after finishing the tv series. Might read The Testaments afterwards.
Enchiridion (Epicetus). I’ve generally tried to avoid the philosophy bro craze currently infecting the internet (broicism?) but I came across it while looking for something else and thought I’d give it a go. Turns out it’s been quite helpful in learning to readjust my perspective of social interactions. Only reading small bits at a time.
Fear & Trembling (Kierkegaard). He digs into the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, how utterly batshit insane the concept is and the very nature of deep faith vs shallow proclamations of belief. Or at least that’s where I’m up to so far. Never had enough focus to finish it before.
Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology 2E (Leopold, Wolman & Miller). I have to deal quite a bit with attempting to understanding how waterways can change in my line of work, but the theoretical knowledge of the subject was a bit of a blind spot in my education.
Catechism of the Catholic Church. Denomination I was raised in was virulently anti-Catholic back in the day. Decided it’s worth spending a bit of time learning about what they actually teach, straight from the horse’s mouth. Curious to see what erroneous ideas I might still hold after all this time.
I loved that one! One of his best. If you like that, I highly recommend Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said.
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