They're not just glowing octopi with superpowers; they're enlightened beings, dwelling on a different plane of existence. Their powers aren't useless, just inconsequential to them. They no longer define themselves by their ability to affect the transient material world; it's all part of being enlightened.
Essentially, they don't use their powers on this level of reality because they no longer consider it to be any of their business. If they did come and throw their weight around, they'd effectively be doing what the Goa'uld do to primitive cultures, however good their intentions. The only time they'll use their power is to stop another of their kind interfering, or presumably if it came to it in a clash between themselves and a similarly enlightened race (let's face it, 'Nubie made it, so you don't have to be any kind of pussy-cat to Ascend, whatever Daniel seems to be telling Jack in Abyss).
Essentially, they don't use their powers on this level of reality because they no longer consider it to be any of their business. If they did come and throw their weight around, they'd effectively be doing what the Goa'uld do to primitive cultures, however good their intentions. The only time they'll use their power is to stop another of their kind interfering, or presumably if it came to it in a clash between themselves and a similarly enlightened race (let's face it, 'Nubie made it, so you don't have to be any kind of pussy-cat to Ascend, whatever Daniel seems to be telling Jack in Abyss).
Comment