It might be a quirk of human psychology to not be able to really "feel" the difference between relative and absolute, but it doesn't matter. Its just how people see the world.
I'm not sure I could agree with that statement. Regarding global warming, sure, although we can't be certain to what degree. But many other aspects, such as treatment options, simply weren't available before - and for sure many other will appear (as will new diseases, but still...).
There is always something to worry about Peter Lynch said in the 90s. And yes I worry about climate change. It’s a big problem. However, technology innovations as a whole go up exponentially since the industrial revolution. I don’t see clear evidence why that would stop now.
The paths they focus on, maybe.
Certainly not the only paths, or even the likely paths.
To the chagrin of hyper capitalists and tech boosters, being able to run a million computations a second in your pocket is NOT a replacement for affordable food, housing, and a society that believes in helping other people. Candy crush doesn't fill your stomach. Cheap entertainment doesn't stop you from getting arrested for sleeping on the sidewalk because you were thrown out of your tent on the side of the road. Different products and market segments do not replace each other in the majority of cases.
Previous generations could live a full life on a single, boring, average salary, including paying for occasional entertainment and splurges. Microchips don't magically unfuck the rest of the economy, and arguably have only worsened income inequality, the imbalance of power due to individual wealth, and the hatred of the destitute and "have nots"