I can't see Dawkins as a zealot. He is very strongly committed to science as the best technique for moving closer to the truth. But I doubt that he would force his answers on us (if he could), I think he would rather try to persuade us to his way of thinking - as he tries in his books etc. But possibly I am a little too charitable here... I don't really know the man. Regarding 'bourgeois', you're right it's the wrong word. What I meant to convey is that Dawkins can come across a bit pompous, aloof and patronising, which might not help his cause.

As for the goldfish explaining the cornflakes, how about trying to explain general relativity or DNA to a caveman? My point is that science can unlock astonishing truths and transform understanding given time. Perhaps if goldfish evolve enough they might one day be able to converse about cornflakes (as humans have evolved to the point where we can now converse about DNA, which would have seemed absurd many millenia ago). Similarly, it may or may not be possible in the long term future for us to 'unlock the core mysteries of being' - but if we can make any progress in understanding anything it will surely be science leading the way, because it's the only testable and trustworthy approach.

Having said all that, I wholeheartedly agree that feeding the spirit by enjoying the present and having fun and just spontaneously experiencing life's beauty is hugely important. I get a lot of fulfillment out of music and hiking in the wild, amongst other things. Also I think that many important human developments have sprung from seemingly irrational thoughts and actions. In some sense, an unconstrained and stimulated imagination is good at generating ideas, and science is good at filtering and developing these ideas. Science has its place, it shouldn't be allowed to rule all our thoughts. Very rational people are often dull as shit.

On an completely unrelated note, Lunar Dunes are great, keep it up!!