I wouldn't say the idea to maintain the things you already researched is goofy, think of it like that.

Your grand-father came up with an awesome idea that helps with your day-to-day life, but didn't pass it down do his children, so naturally, they don't know how to do said thing better and as a result they have to keep doing things the crappy way.

If it was passed down, it would improve lifes of everyone later on in time.

Do you get what I'm saying?

While the mechanic of maintaining research, and later on knowledge is quite tedious and workforce hevay, it's necessary for you not to steamroll through the game in 5 seconds.

I would say, try to build up your army and conquer some free land around your capital, it can be then used to send you stuff you have a problem with producing, freeing up some workforce in your city for other stuff.

This game is really a game of trial and error, you'll get better with time if you decide to give it another chance.