This is an interesting comment. I once took an exchange course at Oxford regarding the history of business. One of the professor's lectures was on innovative ed

This is an interesting comment. I once took an exchange course at Oxford regarding the history of business. One of the professor's lectures was on innovative edge and the issues it brings. He brought up various examples in history, but his most notable one was from Japan. Japanese swords were hardcore the best of the best. When foreigners first came to Japan, Japan laughed at their weaponry. Japan believed it had the pinnacle of weaponry and they were right for the most part, especially when it came to sword combat. But even the projectile weaponry that the foreigners brought also sucked in terms of operational reality. The Japanese sat confidently atop their mountain of sophistication. Then many many years later, foreigners came again, this time with more effective ships, cannons, guns, etc. The Japanese sword meant nothing in that context because the new weapons changed the rules of battle. It's interesting that Japan may keep experiencing this as a cultural phenomenon. On the one hand, there is beauty in seeking perfection in something, achieving it, and being satisfied with it. On the other hand, there is the risk of getting blindsided by a third party's innovation. Interestingly enough, after many years of 20-20 hindsight, the achievement of and satisfaction with perfection may be a more sustainable attitude than constantly trying to innovate. It's probably better for society and better for the environment. But humanity doesn't move forward if not for the innovation that breaks the rules. You probably want both in the world and constant tension between the two in order for the world because on their own, they probably both have issues.