My Problems With Hard Science Fiction

Recently I have been reading 2312 which is along with much of the Kim Stanley Robinson's work, very well received by the Science Fiction Community at large, but by me personally, not so much.

My problems stem from the fact that in Hard Science Fiction, the actual science is required to be completely plausible to the point where the story cannot function without it.  To this end, more time has to be spent explaining the science rather than explore the characters, the plot and most importantly, the conflict.  

I am more than halfway through the book, and basically minus some isolated incidents, the whole story has been about a cool world that has nothing happening.   It is no helped by the fact that the protagonist Swan, is not a likable character.  She is the bad kind of drug addict.  The kind that drags others down with them and doesn't even see a problem with their actions.

The world just does not seem realistic from a social perspective.  The Science is filled so far to the brim as far as Physics and Engineering are concerned.  But come Psychology and while the Author certainly references the Science much through the story, in regards to new idea sexual encounters and societal change, he does not seem to take Human nature into account.

History has shown us that many a Hard Science Fiction Author is very naive when they try to predict the future.  An idea that new tech will slow down or halt fighting and killing significantly is just silly.  The entire purpose of most Science and Technological Advancement follows the pattern of Weapons First, Defense Second, Civilian Third.  The fact that much hard science fiction fails to take into account this constant cycle irks me.

To that end, there is a reason I have chosen to write Soft Sci Fi and Dark Fantasy.  they focus on the themes that I feel are more important while still not forgetting what has brought these genres to the forefront in the first place.  

The Search For Eden Novels are Dark Fantasy with elements of Sci Fi and take the more Cynical approach to Humanity that I think is more realistic.  To that end, I chose this medium and while I appreciate other mediums, the more optimistic ones just strike me as foolishness.