This is calling for a much longer discussion - but for now a short answer - perhaps it was worth it. In our culture there is the worship of the lone inventor - but in fact this is a myth - all of the great inventions required assembling of ideas from many people (see The Myths of Innovation). So maybe it was worth it to break out from the single God King way of development? Of course there is also the point that if Larry did not so ostensibly step off from the reign - then would that be be really different? After all Larry was never shy to admit that he borrows ideas from other people. And now even after that declaration - isn't Larry still the main force behind the development? Actually - this is a part of my original question.