Don't assume that what we currently think is out there is the full story. Go after the dark matter, in whatever field you choose to explore.

Using “dark matter” as a metaphor, Wolfe urges intellectual humility and curiosity: what is visible or currently measurable in any discipline is likely only a fraction of what exists. The quote encourages researchers and creators to seek the “unknown unknowns”—hidden variables, unobserved phenomena, neglected archives, unasked questions, or unmeasured populations—that can reshape a field once brought to light. It also implies a methodological stance: progress often comes not from refining what is already well-described, but from developing new tools and perspectives to detect what conventional frameworks miss. The final clause broadens the message beyond science, framing exploratory risk-taking as a transferable virtue across domains.