Why Do Successful Changes Not Create Enduring Memories?

image from http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/change-architect-sign1.jpg

All too often we get caught-up in dealing with the negative.  We spend precious time trying to convince people that a change, an idea, or innovation will be a good thing.  We spend time assuring people that if something does not work, we have the power to change it back or redesign it to make it work.  

Seth Godin in a recent post "Believing what we want to believe" says "Human beings, thanks to culture and genetics, are inclined to be pessimistic, fearful, skeptical and believers in conspiracy theories. We also don't like change." (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/12/believe-what-we-want-to-believe.html).  While I agree with Mr. Godin's post, I often wonder why/when does learning take over?

Why, when a change or series of changes have been implemented successfully & become part of the culture, do we forget about all of the soothsaying necessary to make the change possible?  Why does the memory of the "naysayer" not carry over?

Image from http://www.gfcweb.net/VanDyke/inside-gfc/2011-04-01/Im-Afraid-Of.jpg

Over the past 5 years how much time did you spend dealing with fear of a change, that now implemented, people would not want to be without? 

What took more work: the change itself or dealing with the opposition to it?