You can replace "grow" with "function" if you prefer.

No, I'm going to hold you to the original word, because, if you look around - that's what's happening.

Our population grows. Our footprint grows. Our consumption and waste grow.

Nobody, besides those highest, benefit from this style of function.

Yes, human civilization has been doing this for quite a long time. I'm not really sure what your point is relative to inflation.

Maybe the "economy" continuing to rally is not a good thing, for, yknow, society?

There must some ironic meaning of "economy" that I'm not aware of. Societies have gone through many recessions and depressions. Is that what you're advocating?