Sabine,
Beautifully argued analysis and ideas. I just can't help thinking; a) They can't be effectively implemented (and who draws prejudice free maps!?) And; b) If implemented they'll fail due to how brains work. I agree about attention span, but feedback to a database (lobes) has scant connection to the front cerebral cortex which takes the fast intuitive decisions, often wrong despite 'knowledge'. Once those lessons of youth are imprinted we're indoctrinated. Too late for non surgical cure. But focussed on the young you refer to, then perhaps!
The problem is that we're now beyond Planck's solution, the indoctrinated are cloning the young. The SM you laud is near death in practice. Information overload (your 'reading time' problem) means retrenchment, stifling advancement in understanding. You wrote; "There MUST be more to find than we have found so far" and; "We know the theory MUST exist". Fine and true words, but now just words. When put before our eyes the truth is now only ignored or denied. Read my essay and falsify that statement.
I should explain my view is that of an implementer. Scientist and theorist perhaps but largely exo-academia and Architect trained. I was lead consultant for a North Sea petro-chem consortium bringing home the largest UK project, then recently on the largest UK windafarm (Vestas). All fast-track from blank sheets of paper. Good decision taking methods and feedback are implicit.
Advising on appointing other consultants we've learned to avoid academics as most can't cope with rapid (or any!) advancement. That's what I see really needs to change. Academic theoretical inertia. I've watched it steadily worsen!
I almost wrote the essay on that, and the poor use most make of the brilliant quantum computer in our heads. We need to be trained when young how to use it properly, not just as a database! I decided implementing unified physics is a far more important advancement for science and mankind, thus my essay (and previous).
But while I can make things happen elsewhere, in academia I'm entirely powerless. Many see it as an ego led 'closed shop' but I see the fear, confusion and poor rewards. Whatever the problem it need major surgery! I do like your ideas but they look like darts to me not arrows, and getting close to the target, but not hitting it. I'd love to work with you to help focus and develop your ideas, but of course there's probably no time.
I think if anyone can prove part of the solution not part of the problem it may be you Sabine, but it may need courage and wider vision to see it.
Best of luck. You're my favourite for top spot.
Peter