Yes, we have had this discussion. CFLs didn't "languish". They sold by the millions.   They also had shortcomings that many consumers didn't like. While they were superior in efficiency, they were inferior in a number of other ways for a long time that were readily apparent to consumers.  

And LEDs (which are tremendous) only started coming down in price enough in the last few years for people to be comfortable buying them en masse.  

It's not avoidance of "new ideas" (although there's always a little of that until something new has a proven track record (think DIA baggage system as one prime example), it's mostly avoidance of higher up-front cost.