Bea,

Love that Peter Cook line!

And yes, you captured it: Total disconnect from reality.

But how do they maintain it????

Anyway, been thinking about this drive that they have to build things, create something, save people....

Why isn't a family and children enough in this regard?

Is it that they didn't get enough kudos / recognition from outside world?

But surely your X got recognition for his academic work?

IDK, they are just empty, looking for something to make them feel better, I suppose... why their family isn't enough is anyone's guess.