The competitive nature of capitalism drives innovation, that's a fact that you cant argue with.

Any competetive environment will do, it doesnt have to come with a system to concentrate wealth in the hands of the few.

I have never understood the lefts view of capitalism as some kind of enslaving ideology, pushed alongside the agendas of politicians.

It took me a long time to escape the matrix, too.

This book gave me an idea of why, to be an anarchist, i had to denounce crapitalism.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/alexander-berkman-what-is-communist-anarchism

There were others, but that one is a good introduction.

This one predates it, and was part of its inspiration.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/petr-kropotkin-the-conquest-of-bread