This sentiment permeates humankind throughout the ages. I don't think it's any different now, except perhaps that it is accelerated. It is likely that people during the industrial age felt the same way, and perhaps wrote something similar.
This is probably true to differing degrees. However, although I find the question of what we want and what we need interesting, I think the more interesting question has to do with our blindspots. Not only are we solving problems at an unprecedented rate, but we are ignoring other paths faster than we have been previously capable. Sure, there's probably room for 'mindfulness' and familiar techniques like that, but I think there are also better narratives that we haven't yet synthesized. If I had any guess, it would have something to do with social sentiment, high fantasy, and individual creation.