Are you sure there weren't other factors building the good things; like say publicly funded research, unions, anti-trust, etc.? Or maybe you prefer the good ol' 12x7x365 work days, child labor, company towns, and rampant illiteracy.
Or perhaps you prefer the return of rugged individualized health systems where you can choose between death or family bankruptcy. (Not if just when, more money just means later.)
The bottom line is still the same, large advances in society and modern comforts are derived from human self interest. You might do well to educate yourself:
I've read the book. You may be extrapolating a bit too far if you think self interest is the foundation for modern civilization, its affordances, and the high life expectancy.
EDIT: Said another way, your analysis appears reductive to the point of absurdity. Modern societal advances require a lot of collective action and self sacrifice.
This line of argumentation is just a cope to fend off discussion of negative externalities which spring from the same root. It's like showing up at the funeral of a pedestrian to extol the virtues of the motorized hearse.
Or perhaps you prefer the return of rugged individualized health systems where you can choose between death or family bankruptcy. (Not if just when, more money just means later.)