I vaguely recall seeing a documentary on tap dancers of the Vaudeville-to-movies transition era. One of its more interesting talking points (or at least, what grabbed my attention) was how dancers kept stealing from each other. Any time someone came up with a new move, the rest of the 'scene' immediately recognized and gave credit for it - then stole and danced it themselves.
This is how moves sprang, and how dance has probably evolved ever since people let their bodies respond to rhythm.
And while there's always a need to 'cement' dancing, to codify moves, to promote certain styles socially accepted and spread it (and thus, vastly limit it both in terms of moves and innovation) - changes in music, and changes in people, have always led to the evolution of new ways to dance.
Which is why it was always important to be there, physically, when innovation happened. Dancers had to be at the epicenter of the change to really grasp it, and to have an influence over it. Being part of the 'scene' was probably just as important as talent, if not more so.
Some of which changed during the last century, when performers began appearing on the silver screen. Movies (and later, TV) helped certain styles and dancers get recognition on a much wider scale; Fred Astaire or Michael Jackson could influence people with access to television anywhere. However, through these dancers, only a small slice of the innovation and dynamics of a particular style could reveal itself.
The TED presentation, linked below, highlights how the 21st century (and in particular, online video sharing communities like YouTube) gave birth to a much more powerful, much more decentralized, and vastly more open 'scene.' With dancers from around the globe uploading and sharing their best performances, dance today is moving rapidly from local to global - moves can be learned, adapted, and changed without the ages-old constraints of physical location.
Recorded sound, a technological innovation, changed how our musicians compose and play simply by allowing them to experience different approaches to music. It spread jazz and tribal recordings alike; it became a source of inspiration. Digital cameras readily available to anyone with a cell phone, and free online access to video distribution channels mean something very similar for dancers: a simple way to share, and a surge of new influences to build upon. Innovations in technology, becoming inspiration in art.
Being a dancer must be truly exciting these days. Dance has always been right now; now it's right everywhere.
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