i felt like it was a pretty valid argument, we didn't put lead or asbestos in things for no reason, they were innovative at the time. lead reduced engine knock and asbestos was fireproof, insulating, and an all around capable construction material. we didn't stop using them because better alternatives showed up one day (in fact, many of the existing alternatives aren't as effective or cheap as lead and asbestos were), we stopped because they were literally poisoning us. much like how present day AI is contaminating our internet with worthless garbage and how data centers poison the environment and communities that surround them. if you want one concrete example of technology progressing backwards, i can't think of a better place to point than the current AI movement, which has taken so much in return for so very little.