What research goals do you favor? Do you favor a speedy or leisurely research pace for this point in the game? Why?
What to grab? Smith's will save us beaucoup gold in the long run, but we currently don't have any plans to build it. Hopefully, we can get in a position to complete research on economics while a pre-build is underway.
I personally favor a middle-ground approach. We research fast, but not so fast as to destroy our economy. Right now, we need to begin getting the cities built that need to be (around 100 or so, I've heard). Money needs to also be accumilated for rushing purposes. That denotes a middle-ground research rate - 40% or 50%.
Why research? Our enemies will too, regardless of our cultural aspirations. That means that they'll get better weapons, and those weapons will force us to submit to any demand. I don't like the idea of being pushed around. Let us get some military technology and stand up to the bullies!
PS - I am on vacation from Friday to Monday, thus I won't be able to vote/answer questions/post anything. If you have any sentences ending with question marks, please do post them soon!