If you are standing still you are going backwards
I respectfully disagree with this!
Equipment 30 and 40+ years ago can still get the job done same as these modern improvements. It would seem to me, that finding a setup that is completely tuned and sticking with it; whether it be old or new tackle, would narrow your margin for errors in the field. Equipment wise that is. And besides, I'm not talking about equipment improvements, just setup improvements.
There is always room for form and tactics improvements!