In the process of communicating to the student or the lay person, we often forget to point out why it is that scientists are involved in their esoteric explorations of the universe. As a result, the scientific endeavor is painted as being somewhat removed from “real life.” This unfortunate misconception can be remedied by discussing the thrill of discovery.
Scientists love to “boldly go where no man has gone before.” The act of discovery produces a heady sensation akin to the thrill of victory for an athlete. The thrill may come as a surprise, as the result of a serendipitous turn of events, or may be experienced at the conclusion of a dedicated piece of research whose end-point was always understood. In either case the joy is associated with the revelation of what was previously unknown or not understood. It is this joy that is the reward for the researcher.