I think the point Zhuge_Liang was trying to make with the 'worker/agriculture' plan is that in many multiplayer games that
would be an unconventional start.
From what I've heard (and in my very limited experience) of MP, anything but 'warrior first and beeline military techs' will usually get you killed real fast. But, on team games, where your team-mates can provide your defences, this allows you to get a strong start in tech, which can then be spread to your buddies.
The question, for us SP types, is what circumstances/strategies could allow a similarly economy-focused start?
An isolated start where barbs aren't a problem (either 'no barbs', the GW, or an easily fog-busted island) is the obvious example - you can completely ignore military builds (except warriors for happiness/fogbusting), techs and resources until much later in the game. Starts with peaceful civs as neighbours, and where you can use religion and diplomacy to keep yourself safe, are another possibility.
How to 'boom' the economy?
My personal favourite is to take CoL from the Oracle, build the Pyramids, and lightbulb Philosophy, allowing a very powerful early SE with Rep/Caste/Pacifism.
Mass settler/worker/cottage spam is a more dependable option.
And a multi-religion hydra is yet another possibility.
The purpose, in each of these cases, is to set up a strong economy much earlier than would be possible if you had to worry about researching/building units for defence or conquest.
Also note, however, that a peaceful start where you concentrate on production and try to build every building/wonder will not be nearly as effective as one in which you build only the
necessary buildings/wonders, and concentrate instead on fast research (to get to the necessary improvements/buildings/civics).
Unless your name is obsolete...
