In fiction, perhaps. But I think Tolkien was closer to the mark. In practice, it is very difficult to know everything, even if the information is available, bec

In fiction, perhaps. But I think Tolkien was closer to the mark. In practice, it is very difficult to know everything, even if the information is available, because of the limitations on our attention and imagination. Tolkien clearly describes that as a limitation of Sauron, and I think it remains a limitation, even today, even when all the facts are available.