I generally endorse the sentiments of the following articles, particularly the suggestion to pay more attention to books, music, whatever, older than yourself (after you have unplugged yourself from the U.S. propaganda system).
Lambert Strether, "How to replace popular culture with something worthwhile," Corrente, 20 August 2011.
Strether's article is mainly an extended quote from the following article:
John Michael Greer, "The Twilight of Meaning," The Archdruid Report, 17 August 2011.