I do not believe they've run out of surprises.
It is a cardinal sin to bore the reader.
In challenging a kzin, a simple scream of rage is sufficient. You scream and you leap.
The reader has certain rights. He bought your story. Think of this as an implicit contract. He's entitled to be entertained, instructed, amused; maybe all three. If he quits in the middle, or puts the book down feeling his time has been wasted, you're in violation.
Ethics change with technology.
Everything starts as somebody's daydream.