So after repeatedly getting my ass handed to me, I mean like perennially coming in last place, I decided to wuss out and return to Endless Space on Newbie difficulty. I decided to read some guides, and it seems the conventional wisdom is that I am simply playing the game wrong, since I was trying to treat it is a sort of organic simulation of my desired galactic civilization.
So I started a new game and will attempt to play it as it was intended with a custom, Sowers-based race. If I can handle Newbie, I will try the next notch up.