We've taken the probe launching approach for the last fifty years. Besides SpaceX, launch tech hasn't really advanced since then which really disproves your thesis.
We must stop our collective procrastination. Human spaceflight is the ultimate forcing function.
It doesn't disprove anything. We spent a few percent of GDP for a few years to get a dozen people on the moon then we got bored then cut the budget. I'd greatly expand NASA's budget, explore the solar system, build the tools to start constructing on Mars/Moon, etc and hoping find a great reason to send people.
We must stop our collective procrastination. Human spaceflight is the ultimate forcing function.