I agree with most of wha you say-- but, in truth, I see existence as a mystical reality grounded in scientifically validated principles. Hence, you will always be baffled because people don't conform to your logical yet flawed view that we should be "well reasoned and informed." The world is full of well un-reasoned and and uninformed people-- and it is not because there is not enough (right) information to go around-- existence, is, in itself, inexplicable scientifically-- and that will always manifest in unconventional and chaotic ways.
You're doing good work--and I appreciate your willingness to engage this debate!
Pat

I'm much more amused by the fact that your e-mail looks like "pathogen" than by your actual comment. Sorry.