1) If people did a certain thing, it would fix most problems.
2) Certain people knew of this solution but did not share it.
Which of these is the "very big claim"?
I may also be misinterpreting this:
>clear causal connection
Are you saying that if there was evidence that the listed individuals did know of it, that you would share it?
If one of them that's still alive told everyone about that idea, then you would see it as a reason to use that idea?
As for the "doing this would fix most problems", how much explanation would convince you to fix it? If it was (arbitrary units) 3 pages of text, that all made sense, would you share it? What if it was 15 pages of text, that you found to be consistent and logical after reading through it? Would you share it, and expect other people to share it?