Learning in Isolation?

I recently came to discover that of all the technology that is coming out [ED: I believe 2007 is the year of 3D!] none of it is independent of previous technology. That is to say many Comp. Sci. people want to learn the latest technology [e.g. Apollo, Flash, Silverlight, etc.] but these technologies simply build upon previous technology. We live in a world where tools build upon other tools. And this has it's advantages and disadvantages. The advantage: If you've used and/or know the foundation of the new technology then you have a step-up learning the new stuff. Disadvantage: To dive into something new becomes more and more a huge undertaking. But how exciting it is more then ever to discover the 'new'.