|
Interesting thought experiment.
There are many cases in speculative fiction (Sci Fi) where thedecadent unchallenged society stagnates and fails to prosper.
It is clear that in the absence of challenges it is only the need of a single individual (or small goup) to develop new ideas - for personal fame or intilectual vanity.
Where the entire society gets behind a project and devil the expense is the collective attitude things take great leaps forward.
Take a look at space flight.
In the 50s and 60s it was felt that the USA may be destroyed uness they got into space quickly. From it's first inception to a man on the moon took a small handfull of years (the Apollo project).
Look to now.
There is no Russian Bear pawing at the threshold and NASA want to return to the moon (the Orion project)- they are talking about the first test launch of their new design of rocket bing in seven years, and the man on the moon another 5-10 later.
The Apollo programme went from not existing to landing on the moon to mothballs in les time than the development phase of the Orion project.
Look at ship design - the British navy advanced ship design more trough warship developments than anyone did purely for trade.
Same with the biological sciences and the fight against diseases.
So I feel that it is probably true that challenges to be overcome lead to collective effort and advancement.
__________________
╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝
|