"...if we are to shake up this corrupt self-reinforcing system enough to actually set a better course for ourselves."
It's a nice idea but it's not going to happen. You're not fighting a corrupt system. You're fighting human nature. Even more, you're fighting the nature of the universe.
The vast majority of people don't even see the causes of the, "corrupt system," and are not willing to expend the heroic amount of energy required to push the switch lever to put the train on a better track. Most of them don't even understand that there is a problem, much less that there could be a better track for our species. The people in positions where they could really make a difference aren't particularly interested in changing things because, "Sure, there are some problems but... Well, it's working pretty well for me. Why should I put so much effort into changing something that's working?"
The fact that you had a similar experience in a completely different discipline should point out to you that it really is a problem with the nature of the universe and the nature of human beings. What are the options? It's either that or a secret cabal of people seeking to enslave the world, right? (Down one of these paths lies madness...)
"...if we are to shake up this corrupt self-reinforcing system enough to actually set a better course for ourselves."
It's a nice idea but it's not going to happen. You're not fighting a corrupt system. You're fighting human nature. Even more, you're fighting the nature of the universe.
The vast majority of people don't even see the causes of the, "corrupt system," and are not willing to expend the heroic amount of energy required to push the switch lever to put the train on a better track. Most of them don't even understand that there is a problem, much less that there could be a better track for our species. The people in positions where they could really make a difference aren't particularly interested in changing things because, "Sure, there are some problems but... Well, it's working pretty well for me. Why should I put so much effort into changing something that's working?"
The fact that you had a similar experience in a completely different discipline should point out to you that it really is a problem with the nature of the universe and the nature of human beings. What are the options? It's either that or a secret cabal of people seeking to enslave the world, right? (Down one of these paths lies madness...)