The overwhelming majority of people want more than the basics. They don't just want a roof over their head, they want a nice roof - one they can stand up under, maybe with a kitchen, running water, separate rooms for their various games... They don't want to eat just rice and beans, they want more.

You are one of them: if you were not you wouldn't be reading this forum.

All of the things you mentioned can still be categorized as "the basics."

This forum is a particularly bad example to use, considering that it's more-or-less built on technology that is over two decades old (i.e. an online forum.)

What are the basics. Every time you expand the definition - as you just did - it takes more labor time to make it. You can put the line between basics and luxury anyplace you want, but the amount of labor it takes to make basic society possible goes changes with each change.

I agree with you. There's almost never a free meal, nor a reason why there should be. I still think a lot of jobs today are unimportant and exist due to people's lack of options.

I also agree with loh's comment here: "I dream of a future where everyone has all of their basic needs met through technology, giving people the capacity to focus on doing the things they are naturally good at doing, things they enjoy"

It would seem that the current system in place is what's required to get there, but maybe it's just slow to change for good.

That's a different issue. But consumerism is needed to provide something of value back to those that gave their time to get you food and a roof.

Food and roofs didn't exist prior to 20th-century marketing and consumer-targeting psychology?

before 20th century marketing woman would spend the whole day preparing food. And you couldn't really have a decent way of owning a home.

Do not overly disregard material conditions.