I still think making land a marketable commodity (i.e. you can sell it on the public market - just like in real life!) would bring much vitality back in the game (although it would change the way the game is played, no doubt!)
Dragon and Twain - How could you not find it impressive? No one else is even CLOSE to llaar in this. If you want to make his feats unimpressive, then show the EE community how "easy" it is to self-farm yourself to 39 million acres.