I think what makes technology so hard to be optimistic about is that there are two sides of the coin. There is the side that this is a utility for our species,

I think what makes technology so hard to be optimistic about is that there are two sides of the coin. There is the side that this is a utility for our species, that tech should exist to serve us better, that things should get more efficient and take less time. That side exists entirely in opposition to the other side of the coin, that is most likely to win out as its the more profitable side. That is the side that tech is merely a product to be marketed like any other, that it should further a profitable status quo versus introduce something new that might not be as profitable, that taking up more users time is more profitable because you can monetize more of it, etc. All the incentives of our society, are aligned to give us a lot more of the latter sort of products, and not much of the former. Imagine if the wheel were invented today; how many times will a dozen companies have reinvented it in ten years time trying to get around the patent, each with their own patentable twists to the idea? I don't believe this sort of thinking can be sustainable for long.