The problem is that on my version of Earth, both science and government have been corrupted to such an extent that they're actively working to suppress creativity and imagination....

...whiiich would be part of why I am not all that terribly upset to be dragged away from it all. [She scruffles Dog's head and half-turns to keep talking to him as she walks. Having no one to go home to but Gaia Herself probably helps.]

Awakening is basically the epiphany point--it's when you finally realize the full extent of your potential and start to truly access it. [Dog brings her a fallen branch and they play tug-o-war with it briefly.]