How long is it taking people to get up to the required 240,000 tech points for some upgrades? Is there something I dont know? Because right now, I have construction & farming fully researched, but only 2500 tech points and medicine, science, etc. cost around a quarter mil! So...I'm not seeing myself getting there for oh, say 30 years? There's got to be something I dont know.

If you buy the science points, you get tech points quicker. Make sure your Master Scientists are researching - they earn points quicker, and be patient it takes a looonnngggg time. :0)