Sam Stephenson, creator of Prototype JavaScript framework and team member at 37Signals, explains why our self-worth should not stem from the longevity of our code.
He also puts forth this worthy nugget:
In order to advance the state of the art, we have to be willing not only to try new ideas, but to retreat when those ideas prove untenable or when something better comes along.
Boy do I believe this! Trying new ideas should be something that we, as builders, and even entire companies, should make a priority. Try. Try. Try. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll learn.