Solid debate and discussion of ideas and ways they might be implmented is great, but its either vital to a games direction and longevity or its pointless, though great fun to have with like minded people. Its vital if FD are involved, not just listening, involved! Its pointless if they are not. I see the design documents, many containing a plethora of great ideas, a lot of which has not (yet) been implemented. That was a community and developer joint activity, at least that is what it was supposed to be, it has for one reason or another led to what we currently have with no sight of what the target is or if, in fact, this is it!
If ED is going to develop and include more than the 'planetary landings' which is pretty much the only vague commitment to an expansion that exists with no timeline or true depth to the concept (yet) then IMO it can embrace many different almost opposite directions (note I do not think for one minute it will or FD could, even f they were so inclined). There is nothing, IMO, stopping corporations coming into existance 'over there' and nothing stopping them being prevented 'over here' in fact, save for the wow factor of a pointlessly huge galaxy, its a great opportunity to use some of that space.
ED is, I think, a game of players v's the simulation, I would like that to actually come alive and a deep and meaningful experience, but i do not see why that has to run contrary to a players v's players v's the simulation game. Right now though I think ED has yet to show its got the chops to deliver what was talked about in the first place, still got time, but I'd like to see some of the vision turn to reality before its called delusion.
