It's very clearly stated in the film: You make your own choices, and what you're always fighting is ego.
“We must always emphasize research and development of science and mathematics, and I can think of no better way to achieve this than through our future in space.”
“We probably put about four or five comic books out a year and probably about two or three art books and various trade paperbacks - maybe four or five of those a year - and that's what we do now.”