“Not wow,” Dr. Petrov warns me. “We observe; we record what we observe. That is all.” I nod obediently, nerves jangling. “Observe and record.” “Wow skews the study,” he explains. “Wow creates expectation. We observe what is. Not what we hope. Not what we suppose. Not what pleases us.” “Okay.” “We leave wow to those who believe parrots are circus animals. Silly pets. Entertainers.” As he resets the tray, he adds, “Leave wow to stupid people who do not understand science.” “I will,” I tell him. But. Oh my God. Wow.
