i think looking back is important. many genres of music like classical and jazz have had so many new ideas pumped into them as time has gone by its easy to take inspiration. things like polyrhythms get discussed like they are new, but they have been used by traditional hand drummers for years.

how important is technology in all of this, i suppose one of the fundamental aspects of techno ( at least when it first came out) was 808 or 909 drum machines. nowadays i think software has already revolutionised the techno business. it allows lots more people to join the bandwagon and have a go.i think people are becoming less specialist and its required to have all skills involved with making & playin tracks if u are to stand out from the crowd or at least to earn money from it.