...it's a cold day in hell when a scientist finds himself with funding for the pursuit of whimsical what-ifs.

I am yet another practicing scientist and most assuredly find the philosophy of science interesting. I realize a single profession of interest does not make for a good opposing argument and if my kind is really such a minority, perhaps we should question our scientific integrity. However, I do wonder about where you draw the line between useful and pointless inquiry. While direct observation is the only means of validating theory, theorizing before means of observation are available is not a useless endeavor. I doubt anyone would elect to construct a gravitational wave detector or particle accelerator just for shits and giggles.