That "legal trouble" part got me thinking. What sort of problems have you actually seen people run into over this?

Miss that one chance and it can start a pattern. Seen it happen. You turn down a stretch assignment because it feels safer, then you miss the training budget that comes with it. Next time a tough project pops up, they skip you because you lack the recent experience. It keeps you stuck. That initial safe choice can lock you into staying put while everyone else moves up.

Seems a bit overblown.

Honestly focusing on helpful content over chasing algorithms saved my site last update. Tbh Google's core goal stays the same even when the details shift. Just make stuff people actually want to find.

Does your buddy ever get stuck on the idea that slower means better skill? Reminds me of my uncle who would only use a hand drill for woodworking, even when putting up shelves. He said it gave him more control, but I saw him struggle for hours on something that took me minutes with my cordless. I get wanting to keep things pure, but sometimes you just need to get the job done, you know? It's like there's a time for tradition and a time for saving your energy for the details.