This technology system sounds fantastic. The 'discoveries' idea is ingenious, and fits well the indirect 'grand' scale the game has. Most importantly, it suits reality: innovations rely a lot on the people, and a governor's prowess has limited effect; with this new system, the governor has to stimulate others to innovate, rather than being able to affect everything. This makes important the people's ability to progress. While the governor may be the player's genius incarnate, history doesn't have modern players influencing it. The people need to be able to innovate, and the focus should be around what they can achieve. I think this system is a brilliant way about it.
I hope progress in one area will be able to affect progress in another. All the areas are interlinked, and the intellect of one usually ends-up coming to another. Look at Plato: he was a mathematician, yet what he's famous for is his contribution to philosophy. Outpourings of intellect affect all aspects of life: look at the Greeks and the Scottish enlightenment.