I liked the first part of the article, but honestly, I think it is a bit outstretched to mix figures like Newton and those of other world-changing scientists or philosophers only to confirm a practical advise when developing, lets say a platform or other application. “Being on the shoulder of giants”, as in the Chartres Cathedral, does not mean “use what is already there and works”. It doesnt have to do with a practical reasoning, with what solution proves the best for a practical need, but with a cultural and theoretical attitude— the attitude of being in a constant dialogue with the past culture as philosophical heritage. But a dialogue means discussing or even subverting the paths indicated by giants. On the practical side, everything can be done, to improve efficiency, even giving up originality and the plurality of offers, but still that is not “resting on the shoulder of giants”.
I would not mix these two different logical levels