"Every safety feature just allows us to push the boundary further" Yes. Climbing with a rope makes you climb more dangerous areas. You plan for falling (which

"Every safety feature just allows us to push the boundary further" Yes. Climbing with a rope makes you climb more dangerous areas. You plan for falling (which comes always with a risk involved). When free solo, you do not. So unless you literally have a death wish, you climb way below the level, you would do with a rope.