I like this approach, I really do. It is the epitome of refereeing. The only problem is if your decision making and communication is crap in the first 5 minutes are you going to make it to 90 minutes before having to throw around cards like confetti to retain match control?
I made it to L5 despite being crap. Sure I could jog around for 90 minutes, had a big enough personality to face down and calm down any 6'6" Sunday morning Rooney or Keane. I only became a better referee when I took the time to look at other people refereeing, but in a critically way. I don't mean finding fault with them, but seeing their faults, thinking about how they could improve and communicating that to them. I think it should be obligatory for every referee who reaches L5 to become a referee observer and to undertake at least one observation each month. I think we would have a more effective and consistent referee workforce, who felt better supported and would be more likely to hang around when the going got tough (retention through the roof!).
Not everyone wants to progress. Some are happy with their level of commitment, particularly those whose jobs require long hours in the office or at home. I've always wondered why there are so many policemen and teachers who are referees or is it the other way around? As for 8% body fat, you've missed a zero off that
I agree about the robot production line. If you're not 6' tall, athletically built with dark hair/shaven head, you might be on a hiding to nothing.
In the professional game, it is no longer football as the majority of us experience it. It is entertainment, theatre and a performance. It has more in common with WWE than the original Corinthian ideals.