Early 20th-century American playwright and theater educator George Pierce Baker is renowned for his deep understanding of drama and its development. According to him, each era establishes its own standards for excellence and originality in artistic disciplines like theater, which are impacted by the creations of earlier generations.

Consider a river that carries the standards and wisdom of every era as it flows through time. This river carries with it the knowledge gained from previous plays and performances as it flows forward. These teachings end up serving as the standards by which contemporary playwrights evaluate their own work. Today's dramatists hone these standards according to their experiences and inventions, much like fish swimming in these waters adjust to changes brought about by the water flow above them.

Baker's philosophy proposes a dynamic process in which current practice shapes future norms, and historical context shapes modern expectations. It illustrates how every generation adds to the expertise and inventiveness of its predecessors while simultaneously making a distinctive contribution to the field of art.

By helping his students comprehend this interplay between the past, present, and future in theater, Baker inspired them to value both their contribution to the legacy and their role in influencing the next one. His teachings promoted a never-ending cycle of development and progress in the dramatic arts by emphasizing the value of looking back in order to move forward.