There is a lot of extraneous discussions at these conferences, but I suppose they have to fill the time in with something....much of it will be important, but more longer term. They have to build the things first before they start to really consider the implications of going out there, simply because all the philosophising will not prepare them for what they'll eventually find. There'll always be curve balls and spanners thrown into the works
Can't do too much without the means to get you there....like wanting to goto Canada for a holiday but only being able to walk there.