[llimos]

That's an interesting question.

Some software is valuable according to this definition, e.g. Google search. Some is not, e.g. Google ad algorithms.

Software is an enabler. It depends what it's enabling.

Would be interesting to know the proportions.

[fighterpilot]

To clarify a piece of what you've said, devs working on Google ad algorithms are valuable to companies who are advertising. Your point is a higher level one that what these companies are buying from Google isn't of net value to society overall, even if it is of value to them.

[cudgy]

Google search may be useful in the present time it is used, but Google logs people’s searches and effectively spies on the most personal thoughts and ideas people have. This could prove to be dangerous to those that are considered to be outside of mainstream society, etc.