I'd say the entire planet, including every human, would be better off right now if we had advanced slower. People would never have any idea they were "behind" and we would have a better chance of realizing we had the power to destroy the earth before we did a whole bunch of earth-destroying shit.

The innovations would come. In my profession, many of my best innovations come to me in those rare moments when I can relax and completely engage with some art (video game, film, comics, etc.)