Maybe but people also wondered how in the world we would ever find the data to fill a cd-rom. Optimization is especially relevant today. Take Will Wright's spore (omg) for example. I heard him say that they had compressed the model files to something like 20 kb(not exactly sure on the number). We are use to having lots of overhead. If everyone made efforts like Will to keep everything compact and efficient then companies wouldn't have to wait a few years to release their ultra shiny graphics. I guess every team isn't as brilliant as Will's though. I believe he hand picked them.