Well, for one, the world changes around us in ways that necessitate innovation. But even if it didn't, if life can be better, why wouldn't you want that?

I never said it's wrong to want life to be better. Life is life. If someone finds enjoyment in a different way or pace of life, that's fine. The world's gonna do what the world's gonna do - some people want to be at the forefront, while others want to go with the flow or chill out.

That's okay. :)

China will beat us to AI.

There is far more to the world than AI.

Yeah, and the hope is that AI will accelerate all of that, too.

AI will accelerate everything? Does everything need to be accelerated? If so, why does everything need to move faster?

Because the world is accelerating and we need to keep up.

Who is "we"? What of the people who are already very comfortable and happy living humble lives without keeping up with the current cutting edge of technology? The person content to sit on the shore and fish at a slow pace? To wander off into the woods and read a book for a few days?

Must they "accelerate" and "keep up"? Do they truly suffer if they don't? If they're happy doing so now, will they be unhappy in the future if they continue down their chosen paths?

It all becomes irrelevant if Europe slips into the dark ages.

Europe is guaranteed to "slip into the dark ages" if they don't keep up at exactly the same pace, or faster?

Yes?

What do these "dark ages" look like to you?

China developing superintelligence and Europe becoming economically irrelevant.

So ? What did you expect, you think USA will remain number one for ever ?