Nice concept, but you won't solve the puzzles without tech points, Pinky. Face it, would you be able to make tools without some level of learning? The caveman developed tools after years of learning and experimentation. Tech points represent this type of learning.

Most puzzles require a certain level of Tech (learning) before you can solve them. They do not solve themselves as soon as you have the tech. You will still have to figure out how to solve the puzzles even when you have all the tech levels. Some puzzles require other puzzles to be solved first also.

The tech points in the game are not money, it represents how hard the islanders worked to learn their environment in order to work their way through the problems facing them. Except when it comes to new outfits for the villagers, that's vanity and it should cost something to indulge that.

Don't worry, masters are required in other areas also to solve some puzzles. It takes teamwork and community effort to survive the island. No one 'buys' their way out of it unless they cheat.