I think you might want to read up on the history of Japan post Warring States, to learn what happens when you priveledge "social stability" over innovation.
I've a rudimentary familiarity with control systems, yes. Glad we're on the way same page!
I'm not satisfied with your response, but I'm losing my grasp on the analogy.
What are we dampening? Inertia, no? Imparted by the environment, and/or our own (fundamentally, inevitably) inaccurate thrust vectors?
It's a metaphor, so I guess we can only argue about the level of abstraction at which to apply it. I'm certainly glad I don't need to mutate and grow new internal organs just to cross the street, but I can be grateful for the mutation and growth of an ability to synthesize Vitamin D which allowed my ancestors to cross glaciers—two activities which are, arguably, helpful in maintaining homeostasis.
