This may be true in specific domains but does not stand across the board. Otherwise, we would not see any progression in the application of new discoveries in i

This may be true in specific domains but does not stand across the board. Otherwise, we would not see any progression in the application of new discoveries in industry. It seems to me that the evidence of the last couple of centuries indicate that in many fields we are seeing 'progress' in the application of new knowledge. EDITED to add: What I mean by progress, is measurable changes in society e.g. the improvement of medical science leading to measurably better survival, longevity etc outcomes, or the improvement in chemistry, materials and solid-state science effecting significant change in electronics, communications, batteries etc.