Only in America people are brainwashed by greedy bankers in wallstreet to think this way. What innovation does India, Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore have? none, but they are prosperous because they are not stupid to believe that innovation is required to create wealth.
In America, everybody wants to be Steve Jobs, now you are out of job.
Our chinese friends are on good at innovating the next knockoff. Some are good anf some really bad
Also in America I think the bar for accomplishments is higher and words like "really needed", "decent" or "good" are relegated to also-ran companies/careers. People have a desire to be the best and that is a part of our national identity.
Innovation within Intel has become an obsession. Once I saw a Department Award that reads, " We INNOVATIVELY chose a new tool to reduce the turn-around time by X% " Unfortunately I was sipping my coffee, and almost choked.
We have to innovate because our labor costs are more, and our cost of living is more, and we're taxed more.
They innovate on supply chain and massive economy of scale at a lower cost vs. the west.
Innovate or die at the hands of your competitors.
This is how capitalism works.