Possible bug with tech upkeep

[Corbeau]

I'm running a test game. I toggled AI and set timeout so that the game runs for a while, then re-toggled myself back in. Now I'm running Despotism with 0% Science and for a few turns I've been losing tech due to unmet upkeep. And the numbers are very wierd.

For starters, divider is 1000 and tech_upkeep_free=3.

Looking at a techtree with only 4 tech discovered:
Pottery
Iron Working
Writing
Monarchy

Bulbs needed for upkeep: 36

After pressing Turn Done:
lost Iron Working
Bulbs needed for upkeep: 35

After pressing Turn Done:
lost Iron Working
Bulbs needed for upkeep: 26

After that, any other turn, "current bulbs" started going further and further into the negatove and no techs were lost anymore.

Also, what happened to tech_upkeep_free? With these numbers, I was supposed to avoid paying tech upkeep until I have researched 3000 worth of bulbs and that actually does happen when you're researching, that is, accumulating bulbs.

[Hyun]

Are those the rules under which AI operates all the time? That's kind of worrying, no?

[Corbeau]

Can someone clarify or confirm this? It seems that tech upkeep takes into account the number of bulbs acquired/produced/researched during the game, not the (base) cost of all the techs the nation is in possession of. This would mean that tech upkeep does not decrease if a tech is lost due to negative Sci production; furthermore, if you discover-lose-discover-lose techs, you will pay more and more tech upkeep, even though you are staying on the same tech level.

Is this correct?