Often there's some tension between individual career development and what makes sense for the project and company.
Ideally, managers create opportunities for people to exercise the former in a sandbox (e.g. some variation of "20% time"), without YAGNI-ing up the project.
I like the fact that I know about a lot of these things, so that if a need arises I'm aware of what's out there and current. I figure when/if the time comes then I'll actually learn how to use them. I think it's just more of a perception that everybody else is moving forward and I'm stuck here in pragmatic land for my work.
Ideally, managers create opportunities for people to exercise the former in a sandbox (e.g. some variation of "20% time"), without YAGNI-ing up the project.
Sorry did I say sandbox? I meant container.