I don't think it's literally impossible to avoid the same mistakes as our predecessors. But I do think that the default position that "oh we modern innovative companies won't end up like those stodgy old companies" is a recipe for repeating history. As they say in AA: the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have it.
Because yes by default you will absolutely repeat history unless you acknowledge that those old timey crazy people were fundamentally no different than you.
> I don't think it's literally impossible to avoid the same mistakes as our predecessors.
Our predecessors didn’t make mistakes; they made rational choices that led to outcomes we don’t like.
We (for some subset of us that become business leaders) will make similar choices that those who come after us will view as mistakes.
They will rightfully think that we made the “same” “mistakes” because our rational decisions will be made in response to similar pressures.
For example, we are going to make short term optimal/long term detrimental decisions, just like our predecessors, because we are subject to the same demands from investors for short term gains and from our leadership to hit short term goals in exchange for increased compensation.
Because yes by default you will absolutely repeat history unless you acknowledge that those old timey crazy people were fundamentally no different than you.