I equate this "swinging pendulum" to be more akin to optimization than just back and forth between two foci. Imagine that the problem space lies in a multidimensional landscape and humans are trying to evaluate (explore) in various directions to see which works the best. Usually, it sticks and its an obvious solution. But many things are a regression. As technologists, we should strive to have optics for this sort of thing - sometimes old things are actually better. We went down the wrong slope and need to walk back to the previous peak and try again.
Those who do not understand this tend to stick people into two buckets and then start an unending argument streak. Recognize that going back is 100% foolproof by definition - hindsight is perfect and going forward is a toss-up. If you can evaluate and have a good measure for current vs. old, don't be afraid to leap backwards. Startups should exploit hindsight and they do.
There are also stagnant local optima that we need to really go out there to find a new peak. These we coin as revolutionary technologies that change history forever.
Those who do not understand this tend to stick people into two buckets and then start an unending argument streak. Recognize that going back is 100% foolproof by definition - hindsight is perfect and going forward is a toss-up. If you can evaluate and have a good measure for current vs. old, don't be afraid to leap backwards. Startups should exploit hindsight and they do.
There are also stagnant local optima that we need to really go out there to find a new peak. These we coin as revolutionary technologies that change history forever.