: I felt the Flood corruption was only way the mantle could be fulfilled
: technically because I always felt the mantle was stupid. Not as a plot
: device or a goal to obtain, but that within the Halo universe the mantle
: is something precursors, forerunner and covenant all embraced blindly as
: extra responsibility with no reward. Why would humanity want the mantle?
: Obviously with the Forerunner all but extinct for as long as they have
: been, the galaxy seemed to maintain itself pretty well without a race
: upholding the mantle.

: I mean, is there something I'm missing here? Does the mantle provide
: superpowers to the race that holds it, promise peace or end world/universe
: hunger?

So wait... you're saying doing the right thing needs to be balanced by some incentive for the people doing it? I think that's kind of the point of the Mantle... it's a cultural belief regarding the proper treatment and nurturing of all life.