If you ask an economist what's driven economic growth it's been major advances in things that mattered - the mechanization of farming mass manufacturing things like that. The problem is our society is not organized around doing that.
Mechanization best serves mediocrity.
My favorite fruit is grapes. Because with grapes you always get another chance. 'Cause you know if you have a crappy apple or a peach you're stuck with that crappy piece of fruit. But if you have a crappy grape no problem - just move on to the next. 'Grapes: The Fruit of Hope.'