> The nature of fractals is that everything is a new fractal bud. There's really endless complexity everywhere. So I don't think that alone is the "big prize". There's some other dimension, like utility or interest.
Here's another dimension: try convincing others of this while they're discussing a specific object level problem and see how that goes.
I don't really follow. You've quoted a few statements and I also don't know what you mean by a specific object level problem.
Is it that it would be hard to convince people there's endless complexity in this domain while they're deciding what to get for lunch? Yeah, probably. They're too hungry.
There are certain complexities that only seem (currently) accessible from an abstract state of mind.
For example, people (including right here on HN) will often enthusiastically agree that they are subjective to various cognitive flaws when discussing a psychology paper on the subject, but this fact typically cannot be realized or even considered when discussing specific political matters. Ironically, genuine intelligence and knowledge often seems to make the problem even worse.
And of course, all of this theory is subject to the theory itself!
Here's another dimension: try convincing others of this while they're discussing a specific object level problem and see how that goes.