The analogy seems to be like learning classical music (like piano or violin) after as an adult.
You learn the basics like scales and chords to build and build to modern jazz.
But if you’re an adult, life is too short, just go straight to a few pieces you like. Get a simplified version and learn the bits you need from there from a teacher.
Literature, music, art; they are all intertwined aren’t they? I find at their purest form they are striving for similar goals: pulling out from our collective unconscious a life affirming theme that can be viewed in a new perspective.
Are you suggesting science and innovation are distinct?
Scientific progress is largely driven by the “Steve Jobs” of sciences.
Only a tiny fraction of papers remain relevant. So that means the quality of the average paper doesn’t matter as much as the quality of the best paper.