[eru]

> If you want to be competitive, starting out on the latest and greatest is the best choice, [...]

That's not true in general. It depends on the specific situation.

You are right about learning from existing technology, and that people will not and should not blindly retrace the technological evolution, missteps and all, of those who came before them.

To give an example that combines both points: a poor country might be well advised to focus on bicycles instead of modern cars. But that doesn't mean they need to do a penny-farthing before they can get to safety bikes.