Why this is important:

Given what we see in the cosmic microwave background, the first light we can detect after the inflation of the universe, structures can only grow so large within our current models. Yet this, and other similar discoveries, appear to be larger than our current models predict.

which is not even remotely true or accurate, but that’s another story

Why do you say that? My understanding is that “only two choices” is true and accurate because of how the electoral college works.

I had a similar reaction!

Spending a couple extra hours wrapping up quests and collecting conches (on the recommendation of a friend) wound up being well worth it for me, the true ending felt much more satisfying.

For what it's worth, all the quests take somewhere around 20-40 minutes each, if I remember correctly. Even the collection quest wasn't too bad, thanks to the treasure finding parrot.