But I thought that getting to Writing ASAP (and Philosophy after that) was the optimal strategy for any civ? Was I mistaken?
I'm not really sure tbh. I tend to take the techs that let me improve my surrounding tiles the most initially. I don't see Writing as particularly useful if your capital and cities are too small to make use of it.
I get it that the early NC is advantageous but I almost never mine built before turn 100.
I'd rather get my workers improving luxuries so I can sell them off and maybe chop forest to get an early trade route. Early gold can always buy a library later if I need.
I find if I prioritise growth and focus on getting 4-5 cities out and an early military to fend off any aggressive neighbours I can catch up on science by the Renaissance with spies if I need.