Solving big problems doesn't necessarily = profit, especially in the short-term, which is what drives most companies and businesses. Unless you got billions of disposable income (ala Google), you just don't have the luxury to delve into "big problems".

We live in a modern world with many advanced technologies. But in a way, we're not unlike the hunter gatherers who had to spend their hours worrying about survival. We spend the vast majority of our 24 hours commuting, and working for The Man instead, worrying about paying our bills, loans, mortgages, putting food in the table, college tuition, etc.