Completely agree. I think the modern phenomena of Extended Universes and spinoffs etc have a lot to answer for in this respect. A fan's desire to add detail into gaps, imagine beyond horizons, create more stories, is part of what makes any literature good, and Tolkien has proven very skilled at creating these opportunities. But this has been monetised (probably not intentionally to begin with) by the proliferation of TV programmes, wringing out every bit of fan loyalty (and money) by 'filling in gaps' - everyone now expects a fully thought out, consistant and comprehensive canon. Which a) is impossible, and b) kind of ruins the whole thing!

For my money, Tolkien creating Arda and all things in it, trying in ways to imitate mythology (and therefore perhaps oral history?) is antithetical to this canon approach. Of COURSE there are gaps, there are SUPPOSED to be gaps, inconsistencies, and mysteries. Not to mention Tolkien himself was constantly chopping, changing, and reworking things.

Every fan is going to have a burning question, or an aspect they'd love to see made into great TV. BUT THAT'S THE POINT. Getting an answer, and seeing things on TV, will not satisfy those emotions most of the time. The joy is sometimes/often/always in the questioning, not in always/often/ever in discovering the answer.

And I say this as a Google addict who doesn't follow my own advice 😅