One problem I can foresee in these questions is the referral to 'the tradition'/ 'our tradition'. What is actually implied here? I suspect that what Mike may be thinking of is actually a whole collection of separate traditions. Either way traditions evolve, that is part of their nature, or they become moribund and die. Preservation at various stages in the evolution allows us to study how the evolution progresses. It also enables revival if the tradition has become moribund. If innovation is stifled in any way the tradition enters the museum stage, it's contents put in glass cases not to be touched.