Up to a point, Jacob, I agree with you. But only up to a point.
The world is advancing as much because of technical innovations as for any other cause. Consider where humanity was three centuries ago with regard to travel, nutrition, healthcare, scientific understanding - indeed, practically everything. Things are now better for humanity - and continue to improve, generally - because we've innovated. We now have porcelain bowls to eat our morning porridge from - much easier to keep clean and hygenic that cow-dung bowls. The very fact that I'm posting this comment on an internet forum wouldn't have been possible a couple of generations ago.
Innovation has helped woodworkers, too. I'm not sure any of us would be keen to pit-saw our own stock, or even to pay the price of that stock given the labour charge inherent in producing it. Some do choose to hand-plane their stock, but most are very pleased to use mechanical assistance. Some like metal-bodied handplanes, finding them more long-lasting and stable that the old wooden ones. There are countless similar examples - glues, fastenings, sheet goods - you name it!
Is all innovation a good thing? No - there are blind alleys, things that didn't prove to be greatly advantageous. But people tried; some of their ideas succeeded, some didn't. That continues, in woodworking as in all walks of life. Some of the old ways became commercially uneconomic, and mostly forgotten, kept alive by enthusiasm and curiosity. Why not? It's no bad thing to understand a bit about history - it's hard to know where you're going if you don't know where you've come from. Also, just occasionally, the old ways may be quicker, more effective or easier. If we understand both the old ways and the new, we do at least have the choice.
But - rejecting innovation out of hand on the grounds that the old ways are always better? That way lies stagnation.
