General Discussion

I don't think you're going to "break" anything to me. You know what the difference between only the largest governments having computers and ANYONE being able to have one in their homes or their hands? Almost everything. Saying the difference between the pc's of 1980 and now is like the difference between is a black and white iphone might be one of the absolute WORST analogies I've ever heard. A modern child's toy is more powerful than a 1980 supercomputer, and the innovation that went into making that happen involves so much more than just adding red dye #4.

The automobile was invented long before Henry Ford, so why is he such a great innovator? He made it available to a much greater number of people. For better or worse, those "irreplaceable" SS check systems will eventually be replaced by a system that prints no check at all. Yes, perhaps some of the push behind innovation has changed but to say that there's been none is just ridiculous.

My point is this, the innovation that you say isn't there has been there all along. That's not "the problem". I believe you are mis-diagnosing the problem.