Survival

Darwin's theory was the survival of the fittest because it was the fittest who at an early stage was the most adaptable and therefore the smartest of their kind. At this point in our evolution, and I would say going back hundreds if not thousands of years, this trait that has propelled us forward has idled and turned into the "survival of the sufficient".
The most intellectual and revolutionary of our species are not revered as one might think they'd be. The majority of the populous is of average skill, average looks, average means. This set does not include ingenuity and mental prowess which are abilities that are much more rare. This stock of man becomes enviable and his traits advanced in caliber interpreted as superiority as they become more apparent to the ignorance in the masses. As a result these true leaders are attacked and eventually overpowered by the majority (or the select few who manipulate the majority) to the point of the relinquishment of their life. We are given examples throughout history of this ugly pairing in fate for those men such as Socrates, Jesus (if he existed), Che Guevara (interesting bunch I know) and many others. So it seems that the masses turn to blind their eyes and deafen their ears to the attacks on progress, on difference, and specialness in favor of mediocrity and to ensure their survival. Meaning that progress will be slower and change ever so slight.