I understand ML and I'm concerned, but my position isn't "how can we train models/collect data in an ethical way?" Its more like "Do we really need to train mod

I understand ML and I'm concerned, but my position isn't "how can we train models/collect data in an ethical way?" Its more like "Do we really need to train models like this?" I continually come back to the same thought: The Amish (to take a random example) consume probably thousands of times less than I do. They do without the conveniences of technology which I "enjoy". They have neither computers nor an endless stream of distracting media and social interactions. Yet they are probably, on average, as happy as or happier than other Americans. These technologies don't really exist to serve people - they exist to create profit, and they do that by meeting superficial needs. There is great potential for machine learning to help the human race. But the vast majority of energy dedicated to the question by the information megaopolies isn't invested in that direction except under the most facile sorts of hypercapitalist justifications. We should, in short, regulate data collection and analysis into oblivion, with exceptions made only for democratically determined use cases which serve the public good.