We've done a lot to make it evil.
Misused, abused, squandered, etc. etc. etc. However, I would have preferred a more realistic approach. Why not bring them in to ASSIST Earth to use its resources wisely. When you START that way and have it ingrained, it becomes 2nd nature to do it that way. They go back to the basics and their children's children are going to make the same damn screw-ups we have.
Personally, I think the writer let his prejudices get in the way of his creativity in finding solutions. It's not the technology that's evil; it's what we've done with it.