Good luck-- I share your view that coming up with better ways of playing zero-sum games is not the way to make the world a better place.
The fact that this statement is coming from the 'lead developer' of Bitcoin does NOT make me feel good about the future of the Bitcoin project. Shows a complete ignorance of markets and economics. Epic epic epic fail.
The fact that Zhou thinks that such markets are a 'zero sum game' as well means that it is a good thing he is getting out. He doesn't even understand what he created. Sad.
Personally I think the bitcoin economy would be useless if the only thing going on is currency exchange.
A healthy bitcoin economy includes vendors and customers, everyday commerce.