See the kind of light fiction I usually irrationally like is the kind in which characters, by being smart and creative, enact world-shaking change. See: Legend of the Galactic Heroes, First Law trilogy, Worm, Watchmen, etc.

This may explain my academic focus on 19th century military history.

I figure now is a good time to get out of my utitarian apotheosis-complex comfort zone and play someone who has temporarily stopped giving a shit.