or perhaps indicative of what "economic value" means in the context of a finite planet with finite resources.

I think you DID nail the needed change point right on the head. Our economic system prioritizes "anyone should be able to do anything at any time for a price, but the price externalities and waste are irrelevant."

I'll draw a parallel with PC's "This thing should be able to do anything at anytime and be everything to everyone" vs "this device runs circuitry and control loops that optimally manage a given pre-described domain"