Do you think the modern era is hostile to novelty?

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Our moral and ethical sense may not have changed, but we are more capable expanding empathy to a larger circle. In primitive times those people outside your tribe were by default enemies. People who could not speak or understand your language were to be feared. Indeed they were often assumed to not even be fully human. Making war with them, ransacking and pillaging their village, was totally morally justified as it was assumed they would do the same to your people if given the chance.

Technological innovation isn't going to come from those with the mindset that innovation is simply the means to an end, which is to milk as much money out of something as possible before the patent expires.

Creative innovators invent out of a love and passion for making something new. Rent collecting on the idea usually is third or fourth on the list of motives.

The Brothers Wright developed their flyer because they were hot to see what they could do. It was only years later on that Wilbur went around suing other folks for elaborating on the ideas of the Wrights. Wilbur was misguided in that quest and happily for the rest of us, unnsuccesful.

ruveyn

That's true, too. But I see that as a kind of thinking in terms of barriers - or at least, myopic (which is not a very innovative mindframe either).

Our "moral empathy" is something made possible by having enough surplus so we do not have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. When things are tight see how much moral empathy there is. The best guarantee of generous behavior is material prosperity.

Human beings are born egotists and care more for their own children than the children of strangers.

ruveyn

Why fix what's not been broken?

Most people prefer to live with some sense of stability and security. Purely selfish and egotistical behavior is not beneficial for the individual as it ultimately will lead to violence and insecurity. The only people for whom it may not be in their self interest to have a moral society that takes care of its people are the most wealthy and powerful. In the end they will be the only ones who can afford to buy protection. Inclination towards cooperation beyond immediate family is one of the main evolutionary characteristics that separates humans from other animals.

Feel free to keep projecting your own personal feelings to all of humanity though.

I also think you are dead wrong to think people who have to worry about their next meal will be less inclined to play fair and cooperate. If anything they have a stronger inclination to empathize within their communities. They have to to survive.