I do agree that there are those who are gleeful, even vindictive about their desire to keep people from exploring mysteries out of essentially fear.

My concern was basically around the opposite that if we do too much “reductionism” that we lose the wonder. I think that many scientists still experience great wonder and awe at the things they have explained, but they often aren’t given the chance to publicly express that. Carl Sagan is somebody who embodied the wonder of discovery both privately and publicly. A lot of scientists are never afforded this opportunity.

Albert Camus was one of my favorite existentialist authors and he often left me with a haunting feeling that too much knowledge led to a cynicism that could not be overcome. My prejudice came through when I first read your post.

Thanks for the clarification.

Henry, what do you write when you have lots of time?