"...you're saying that those who know it from being exploited today will be the ones who fare best?"

Not exactly. Those that understand that dependence on overlords will create intolerable slavery and act to independently produce their necessities and support communities that do the same, will ultimately prosper. Them that only suffer exploitation and do not pro-actively create independence from the essentials supplied by their masters will fare worst of all, I fear.

Food has long been weaponized, and just being able to eat when overlords demand you grovel for crumbs can be a great victory.