[prmph]

True, this is why I sometimes prefer not to look too closely at the state of the art when addressing a new system architectural problem.

By trying to solve it from first principles, and making some progress but most likely failing to completely solve it, I get a good sense of that the design forces and challenges are. Then, when I go back to study the state of art, I'm much better placed to understand what I'm studying.

Another good thing about this approach is that I minimize pre-biasing my thinking by what is out there now. Then, when studying existing afterward, solutions, I can more clearly begin to see gaps in them that I can direct my efforts to solving.