I am a busy man and I do not have time to read this entire thread, but if someone has not already mentioned Dave Pollard's
How to Save the World blog, I would recommend going to it and reading his signature essays. I remember Steve recommending this blog on one of his blog posts that showed what he reads in an average week. I was quite taken with the depth of thought in Dave Pollard's posts, and became enamored with his blog. It goes back at least three years, although it could be much more than that, I just haven't checked it.
It offers solutions, numerous in quantity and quality. If you haven't stepped over to his blog, I urge you to do so. He really has a good way of putting things and he is an excellent writer.