It is wasteful. But it only is wasteful if you look at it from the valuation of human utility. For technological advancement, the system is quite efficient. It's just that we're not the priority.

We achieve... something, to be sure. I maintain it's more 'control' than 'progress'.

Looking at the technological advancement from a human utility perspective... opting out as circumstance allows seems reasonable.

I still live like it's 2004. Computer room and everything. What's an AdTech? /s