I get what you're saying and I absolutely think the invention of phones, the internet, etc. made everybody's lives better. But it's also true that these things

I get what you're saying and I absolutely think the invention of phones, the internet, etc. made everybody's lives better. But it's also true that these things become necessities when everybody is expected to have them. There is a low but non-zero level of "keeping up with the Joneses" you have to do just to keep living your life reasonably, because things change around you. Job applications are done over the internet now. Most higher education requires a good computer, webcam, and internet connection. You hail a cab with your phone. People suck at giving directions because they assume you have GPS. Stuff like that. So I think it is fair to price some of these "luxuries" into the cost of living even though in the past people got along just fine without them.