> mental models of the world tend to solidify as we age
Mental models solidifying over time might be true. But "acceleration" is a shared experience for entire generations (of peers). It seems a broad enough experience that it is more than perceived. Like a grandma is content to read books instead of being on top of HN, etc.
Solidified mental models also gives perspective on life and its direction. And people tend to converge on few similar timeless mental models on a meta level.
> long range compounding effects of technology
It's correct, most modern systems are enabled by better tech at its root. But the collective will of humanity (at least right now) is to leverage tech to push it further. Instead of a sinusoid where we take time to fix unintended side-effects we created (like pollution, resource depletion, re-assess education, etc).