I might have said ontology, not technology, but take whichever one you prefer!
Regarding the gift economy concept, the more I think about post-scarcity (yes, a far way off at scale, but already happening, as you point out, in the shadow of the ouroboros of capitalism biting itself in the ass) the more I realize that the locus of value is shifting to the interiors—i.e., to realms of consciousness and culture. This is where future wealth can be infinitely mined.
Paul Mason paints a compelling (dare I say hopeful) picture of the shift taking place:
I have much to learn, but I am inspired by the potentials, insofar as we can take it upon ourselves to rewrite the rules of the game, in whatever small and practical—or visionary and epic—ways we can.
I would love to hear more about your fiction, @Geoffreyjen_Edwards. Le Guin and Delany are two of my favorite writers.