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It's not that I mind the work. I love the work. I just don't feel like I'm really doing anything, and that this may not change.

That's what really bugs me. I want to be doing something I love, something that affects change, and I want to save the world. I see the people at the top in politics or the military dictating the entire future course of research - who gets money and how, etc. Practically all of robotics in America is funded by military dollars - you have to go overseas to see any non-military systems. The most non-military system that's been built? The Roomba, and iRobot LOSES money on that. They had to turn to developing military robots in order to pay the bills.

So what's next? I don't know - graduate with a degree, and go sit in a lab somewhere? I've never been one for sitting around. How hard and what do you need to do to get into politics? Do analysts/support staff have a say in anything? Where does one get money for "smart tools" robotics? What do schools overseas look like? So many questions, no answers, and I have to go study some more bullshit to finish a bullshit paper. =(