Absolutely agreed. It's a shame we talk past each other, when so many answers were already discovered and documented in the past.

I try and keep the following in mind (even when my ego fights it).

(A) I am very unlikely to be the smartest person who's ever thought about a problem. (B) Even if their technology differed, some parts of their approach are useful. (C) Clues and references pop up in the oddest places, so ears open and notepad ready. (D) Accept references graciously, in the spirit of a gift. (E) Name dropping historical references without providing actual context is always in poor taste.