[@Archmage MC] Erm, yeah, hence why they'd put aside any form of desire to compete? Shockwave doesn't give a damn and will evaluate what is better, even if it contradicts his primary hypothesis. The Ethereals don't really care either whether they are right or wrong, they are somewhat beyond going for a subjective truth. They want something that delivers the goods, even if it means dressing up like a Spanish prostitute. 

There's no reason for them to stagnate. That's like only true if they had an inch of humanity in them.