That's a pretty pessimistic world-view you have there. How about science for the sake of science? or art for art's sake? Develop new capabilities and see what people can do with it - it's hubris to think that you can develop the future in a planned direction and be right. And as to not moving on until you've done everything with what you already have - that's silly. I mean, people are still doing novel stuff with pottery - I suppose we have to wait for your approval to move on to, like, bronze?