>But nowadays, most loans are for zero-sum ventures...

That's an enormous claim and I really doubt it.

All I can say is that I've been trying and trying to find work that actually solves a problem, and each time I become familiar with a business it seems like we're actually causing most of the problems we solve.

The exceptions to this pattern that I've come across don't have enough money to be hiring people.

Maybe I've just been unlucky.

each time I become familiar with a business it seems like we're actually causing most of the problems we solve.

Do you mean, in general, as a society/culture, or are you just having an incredible run of jobs where each time that business is the problem?