For him? It wasn't that science was important. It was the fact that Miriam was important to him. Due to that he knew that her passion was science and that she'd easily be able to get lost in whatever it was she was working on. Something that he didn't actively mind. So, it had nothing to do with comprehending how important science was, it was that it was important to her. Something that mattered far more to Shadow.
"You're very welcome, my lady."
"Easter might have actually liked you. However, she definitely wasn't someone that anyone would ever want to upset. Some of the New Gods could get pretty cranky," he states with a bit of a chuckle.