I don't even think we've lost the engineering. We've lost the risk tolerance. Apollo was a risky program, people dying was considered acceptable. The US just doesn't work like that any more.
Oh yes we do.
I ran an industrial facility that had been in operation since the 40’s, safety used to not even be a concern. If it operated in 2000 the way it did in 1950’s, or even in the early 80’s, they’d be out of business.
let me introduce you to the US military and the lack of mental health care we provide them after their service.
let me introduce you to prisons. farms. a dozen others.
let me introduce you to daily mass shootings.
Americans do not care about the lives of other Americans until and unless it is required by law.