Sentence:  After all , the average American as he lies and waits for the enemy in Korea or as she scans the newspaper in some <WSD>vain</WSD> hope of personal contact with the front is unconcerned that his or her plight is the result of a complex of personal , economic and governmental actions far beyond the normal citizen 's comprehension and control . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  unproductive of success