While punctuated equilibrium (PE) reflected in the fossil record is a strong negative evidence to the underlying principle of phyletic gradualism (PG) enshrined in the evolutionary theory, the phenomenon of cell-directed mutagenesis challenges another tenet of the theory, namely, the requirement of stochastic mutations produced by extra-cellular agents to create heritable changes in the organism.

My assessment is that he parleyed change into a progressive conservatism, gradualism really, protecting the aura of kingship against a looming obsolescence, sternly preventing the palace and its belief system from disappearing by upholding ceremonies, court meetings, and making public pronouncements on civic issues.

This outlook led them to attack problems head-on--not "manage" them at some acceptable level of cost and risk, not pretend that gradualism would work, and not confront danger only when it became more acute.