And most policy makers do not have much time to think for themselves. The sciences are largely fragmented. Few are concerned about how to integrate the various areas into a wider panorama. There is the interdisciplinary approach in the university, of course, but mostly in closely related fields such as the social sciences. Academic discussions are largely disconnected from solving problems for real people, except perhaps through various government programs.
Academics mostly limit their actions through state mediation, with predictably dismal results.
Too much of the focus is upon academic argument, studies, papers, and conferences. There is not enough direct action. Those with great knowledge are somehow prevented from or unable to communicate with those who really need guidance, that is, young minds. Working for a corporation also tends to narrow one's focus to a particular corporate objective. So the efforts of the best minds are too often channeled in a narrow focus, or else unwittingly directed by others.