> #2 I feel like is the trap. As beings with limited amounts of time on this planet, the test should not be about absolutes, but if what we would build is better given the time we would have to devote.

I don't think it's really about the time you have to devote. Integrating a library can take longer than writing the code yourself, and that doesn't change with respect to the time you have.

> And this isn't that strange of a phenomena when you think about it. Construction workers choose hammers rather than forging them on their own, we buy food from supermarkets instead of growing it on our own, etc. One of the principle elements of humanity is our ability to stand on their shoulders of giants, which shouldn't be lost

This fact isn't lost on me. My point is that there are actually relatively few giants who have solved an average arbitrarily-chosen problem, and even fewer who have shared their work. If you have 10+ years of programming experience, it shouldn't be hard to find an area where you are the giant.