Yeah, clearly old things were fine, or in many case quite good.

I think comparing the advances in mechanical precision to changes in society shaping technological advances is not a fair comparison. I would argue that it's exactly that mechanical precision that started with gauge blocks that has facilitated all our advancements.

I think it's just a different "system of measures" when talking about societal/social impact on our human interactions. People's minds and feelings don't fit into technical descriptions.

But, to agree with you, just like basic technology changes slowly, human nature barely seems to change at all.