Gentlemen, a suggestion
Seems to me that the Space Science board has a fine focus on details--mostly news about space and science in general, and its topics are almost always concrete.
This thread is about philosophy, and because Jack started in about "mediocre minds", it's on the edge of becoming a flame.
I suggest you split the difference and continue the discussion on the OffTopic board. That's a more appropriate venue for philosophical noodling, don't you think?
--Robert (tempted to use my last name, but decided to play it cool for a change)