Things are hectic

Have you noticed how busy everyone is? It’s almost as if the phrase “things are hectic” is usurping the inimitable response of “fine” when asked, “So, how are you?” Shawn Callahan over at Anecdote has termed this the busy-ness meme. So, as a unit of cultural meaning, is this meme a representation of how busy we really are or a self-defense for not being busy?