First 10,000+ points score on Citizen Level

[WeMustConsentAI]

I literally can't do any better in my current household. Nothing will change that. I really need suggestions on what to do next.

As for suggestions...

Not allowed: stuff like "use the Free Market Economy"/"no Iron Man" (PLANET is always important in a development-based game, and I can't figure out the Alien Crossfire's Spore Launchers), "Infinite City Sprawl" (>36 cities is more than likely just gonna slow the player down regardless of their "skills") [Also, I refuse to exploit the #1 cheater's tactic. This is simply not allowed in speed-running, for example; and I refuse to show tolerance for it, period.]

Allowed: "pop-boom"/"bonuses to quest-long important stuff like RESEARCH" (we can all agree that these kinds of tactics are critical if the human is intent upon keeping up with the supposed-to-be AI. First rule-breaker however, and I will run away from home; so not gonna return this time.)

[bvanevery]

I don't even know if 10k is a high score, or if I've done that.  Never cared much about score.  Pretty sure I've gotten almost 4k in recent memory, just playing my usual way on Transcend.  In my mod.

PLANET is always important in a development-based game,

Sounds like you're afraid of flooding.  There's flooding and then there's flooding.  I have survived the latter.  You can build after the flood has abated, although more typically, I'll have some other way to win the game by then.  You can't really stay ahead of the flooding by Launch Solar Shade though.  You can do better at flooding if you're the Pirates, although Deep Ocean affects even their ability to develop and support stuff.  I guess with enough orbital facilities, you could support life on even a barren charred rock, but you have to get to those.  I don't know how any of this works out in terms of points. I seem to recall that time costs points.

and I can't figure out the Alien Crossfire's Spore Launchers

What's to figure out?  They're artillery pieces that shoot psi instead of explosive rounds.

[WeMustConsentAI]

After realizing just how good the Free Market Economy can actually be, I’m now adopting it into my official strategies. Really, I just don’t like having to lose tile improvements every other turn early game because of a dumb Wild Launcher. I only wish to avoid that issue.

[bvanevery]

Scouting and Sensors usually takes care of the problem.  Occasionally the game "cutely" spawns a Spore Launcher right in the middle of your established fully visible empire.  I run some units around until they try to move past the Spore Launcher, revealing it.  Then I kill it.  You need a few spare units for that kind of job.  A Unity Rover that doesn't cost SUPPORT, that you returned home after using it in the field for a bit, is a good choice.