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Brett,
Wow, this is getting into some deep, philosophical stuff!
I am reminded of a few sayings "Ignorance is bliss." and "The more you know, the more (you realise) you don't know."
There was a famous scientist who said something to the effect of "I stand before this vast sea of knowledge, knowing little of the depths of knowledge below". Maybe someone can remember the exact quote and who said it.
Anyway, here's my viewpoint. A hundred years ago we didn't know of the vast numbers of galaxies out there. Were we better off? I don't think so. This information for me gives me a better perspective of the Universe we live in and leaves me in total awe of our place in it. Each new fact we learn about our Universe raises more questions, but each time we fit more pieces of the "jigsaw" puzzle together. There is now an enormous body of established facts about the Universe- it's not just based on a whole lot of conjecture. Black Holes used to be just scientific conjecture but now the evidence pretty much establishes their existence.
Man is curious by nature. We will never know everything but it is the excitement and satisfaction of putting together the pieces that makes learning so worthwhile. We all do this in our own way and in our own time.
I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to with the pictures/animations.
But animations are done where we can't do the real live footage e.g. a simulation of the formation of a star. However, there is an enormous amount of real photography done by amateurs here on IIS and around the world. For example, real images of real galaxies.
I also "hate not knowing stuff" so you're not an odd one out. Just enjoy "the more you know ...".
Isn't it just peaceful under the stars. Now you know why we're all hooked on astronomy.
Regards, Rob.
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