[drchewbacca]

> If we want to select a common language

I think you're making an assumption that there is some central authority that has the power to make this selection on behalf of everyone.

I think the reality is that each person is making language learning choices based on their own utility. It's a network effect situation where everyone wants to learn the most popular language. English is ahead for historical reasons but that is enough.

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

I guess what I'm saying is maybe in an increasingly global society we should purposefully select a common language. English is de-facto today for historical reasons, but its difficulty is creating inefficiencies we could do without.