The thing with this particular game element is that, unlike a lot of other repetitive mechanics (games are made of those, that's not the problem) this one simply cannot reasonably be done "here and there" over time "as you just play"
Gaining X amount of bounties, this will just happen (unlocks an engineer) because things interdict you, try to pirate you, or missions send you to fight things, or, you simply choose to head into a ring while doing your normal thing.
Your also going to progress through the elite rankings, and the navy ranks, just by playing. Take a mission here and there, you'll gain a bit of both over time.
Gaining credits just happens.
And... Most (lots, some, choose your word) materials just end up being around, and you can just grab them (there are some notable exceptions, but this is generally true)
These guardian ruins, are unique, specifically placed, interactions.
They are also -way- outside of the "normal" play area, where most things to do exist.
This means, you literally have to go specifically to these things, which implies there is a reason to do so.
You aren't going to "happen upon" these places, which are the one and only source of materials to unlock certain modules. During the course of "normal" play.
So, once you make the decision to go and get these materials, you have gone to get them.
You can't just say "I'm not too bothered about how long this takes to get, I'll just let it happen naturally"
That doesn't work here at all.
This is the problem.
This is why this isn't "people wanting everything now"
Or people "whining about grind they could just not do"
It's a poorly implemented method of gaining special items in the game.
