There is hope. The Turkish referee from the match of Argentina with Nigeria last night dictated penalty without VAR against Argentina in the first situation (although he listened to the VAR referee in the headphone at the pressure of Argentinians), but disregarded the second penalty which was communicated via VAR.
Many comments I heard said he should have done the other way, or give both penalties. I think he took the best decision. But I am worried, just like you, that refereeing football will become much more a technology thing in the future and lack the uncertainty of the human factor. You described it much better that I would, with the contradictory talks, teasing etc.
Any way, as a consequence of VAR, many more penalties this WC. And since there were many tight scores, this means many games were decisively influenced by VAR.