[xedarius]

Is that how it works? So in order to progress in other fields such as physics, medicine, robotics - the current incumbents must retire?

Anyone can have an idea.

[valw]

The innovation dynamics in the software industry are (have been) really different than in these fields IMHO.

But there are some similar historical precedents. Fourier's work was rejected in his time because Lagrange wouldn't adopt his approach to mathematics.

This video is a great retrospective on the evolution and adoption of programming languages / paradigms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxAXlJEmNMg