Even if you accept the evolutionary development intelligence as probable, which Gould et. al. do not, I think we can question if technology is inevitable or even probable. Even in our "hi-tech" society there's a majority of disinterest and a core of antipathy towards technology and space exploration.

It's perfectly reasonable that the peak of human civilization could have remained at the stage of this millenium's India or China. The Greek to European Rennisance cultural tradition could be an anomaly and might never have "accidently" fostered the scientific method and rationalist thinking.