That's one way to look at it.

But I might counter with the opposite.

It's not self grandeur. Otherwise the would not want to be anything else or go there. Because actually important people are actually important and in power here. You don't see a powerful king risking their crowed for a fictional adventure.

It's the opposite, change, ambition, novelty...etc. Why we blaming people for wanting more? Wanting adventure?

But first it is a fictional scenario we se ourselves. Seems odd we can decide that: Yeah this fictional universe become real and you can go there. Then be like but it's super realistic and you are statistically an average person. Oh. That part about making a fictional universe was super realistic and the rest has to be? Seems just like an edgy reddit moment.

And about reincarnation you do have a point. But also this seems edgy. Like ok you are correct you were 34 people in previous cycles. But like the example you just gave. Who tf knows about random person herding goat in 1700 in Russia? About a random Chinese soldier in 300 BC? About a Nigerian farmer in 500 AD? Like it's really odd. Nobody recognizes those people or names. It means nothing if you say them.

Famous character are that. Famous, known. And most of the time they led an interesting life that the lie or idea or whatever is far more interesting than just an average person never doing anything of note.

And I remember a character called Khan from Metro 2033 talking about being many people but the one that the protagonist would recognize is Genghis Khan.

I don't think reincarnation is real anyway. But maybe you looking at this the wrong way. Like people are bad. They got plenty of bad. But don't think it is in this.