Romantic notion that one can change the course of large events, but unlikely. Really It's just a practical matter of risk management.

These things are not gonna change in our lifetime (or rather, the odds are very very small that they will). And if they do change, the odds are even less that they'll change in just the way you wish they would. We don't decide these things.

What you CAN do however, is tweak the existing system to the best of your ability. That's the most effective approach, if you look at it from a strictly cost/benefit perspective.

Yeah, some Wunderkind mut come along and revolutionize.. is that you? Is it in your lifetime? That's a weak bet, on the very best day.

But, you know, I don't begrudge it to anyone. I admire my LP friend for his youthful idealism. I am, however, over 40 myself, and after life beats the stuffing out of you enough, you lose that drive to swim upstream so aggressively. Instead you learn to choose your battles and spend your effort where it'll have the most impact...