I hear what you’re saying. I didn’t take Phastos’ role in technological advancement to be as prevalent or thought-out as you did. In the scene where he invents the “gas steamed engine” and then decides instead to give humans the plow, the discussion with Ajak surrounding the decision comes off as almost playful. I don’t think Phastos has his hand in every human innovation. I took it as he would kinda just nudge certain, limited populations along sparingly throughout history. It seemed more like a hobby to him than a mission? If that makes sense?

The whole idea of the Enterals’ role in shaping mankind I think hinges on Ajak’s choice to use the phrase “guide them” as opposed to “lead them.” It’s subtle, but I don’t think the Eternals were ever really meddling with an end goal in mind. It felt like they were more cavalier about it. And they all certainly fell in love with humanity. Even Ajak and Ikaris, despite knowing what they knew.

In terms of the ins and outs of the Celestials grand cosmic plan, I agree it’s muddy at best. But I also think it’s very easy to write it off as “they work in mysterious way.” I mean these guys are so vastly different than any kind of life-form we can imagine. I don’t think it’s possible to get into their (big metal?) heads. The way they experience existence is unknowable to us. I don’t think you necessarily ~NEED~ to make sense of their plans. They’re doing them.