The article discusses how countries can grow their economies by adopting new technologies and innovating. It shows that as countries get closer to the cutting edge of technology, it's more important to choose skilled managers and firms. Early on, countries focus on investing in existing firms, but as they get closer to the top, they switch to a more innovative approach with younger firms and better selection of managers. Some policies that encourage investment early on can be helpful, but they might also prevent countries from reaching the top technology level in the long run.