Technology gets better if you can combine it with the need or the popular demand. Jackson was very good at recognizing popular demand and the latest invention/technology. He combined dances to make something unique and I'm not surprised that he made good use of green screen technology effectively before some others.

Those are mistakes. I think the failure Patrick is talking about, is something you intentionally give your best shot to achieve/accomplish and yet fail.

Failure is a good motivator of success, success isn't.