How to create "interesting, cool, and relevant software"

From raganwald:

The only workable system for generating interesting, cool, and relevant software is well-known. Find a bunch of really smart programmers and point them at a large problem space for which there are actual users, and for which new solutions are unconstrained by old designs.

—Mencius Moldbug, What's Wrong with CS Research

Note the desired outcome: Interesting, cool, and relevant software. Do not become mired in empty debate over the phrase "smart programmers." Instead, ponder the other three preconditions: a large problem space, actual users and most especially no constraints by old designs.

Alan Kay is purported to have said, "A fresh perspective is worth 80 IQ points." You cannot have a fresh perspective when you are encumbered by backwards compatibility.