> it's to look closely at the new thing, understand why people like it better, and then bring that understanding to your next iteration or your next product.

I agree with this, and the "copy, then improve" mindset, along with the customer-centric view, has some great similarities to the "shanzhai" culture in China:

http://designmind.frogdesign.com/articles/shanzhai-s-role-in...

http://p2pfoundation.net/Shanzhai

http://www.bunniestudios.com/blog/?p=284

On the Internet, I see this same remix philosophy manifest itself very strongly in the creation and propagation of memes.