I'll check out the book but your description that "sciences are actively hindered from being in the position to solve humanity's big problems" sounds accurate to me. I suspect you think that's a problem whereas I tend to think it's not.
Solutions to problems involve trade offs. Trade offs come down to questions about values. This is not he purview of Science. That's politics.
Solutions to problems involve trade offs. Trade offs come down to questions about values. This is not he purview of Science. That's politics.