I'm not shooting the messenger here. My point is that SH fans and beyond - and most everyone knows who SH is and what he does, even if they've never picked up a book in their lives (Data portrayed him on Star Trek, after all), will look at this supposedly smart character, fictional or not, and think, well, if HE doesn't care about the makeup of the Univrse, why should I?

If you think I am making a mountain out of a molehill, just think of how many people believe what they see in films when it comes to science. Like that piece of crap The Day After Tomorrow, as just one example.

The human race is ignorant and povertized enough as it is. We don't need anyone else making thinking about subjects beyond the mundane seem "uncool" and even detrimental.

No wonder ETI haven't contacted us yet, if ever.