I get it. The Institute are the Enclave/Legion of Fallout 4, and as a result they are going to get referenced...but I'm going nuts right now. The Institute is supposed to be some secretive conspiracy within the Commonwealth, kidnapping and replacing people and doing all sorts of not nice things.

Like kidnapping your infant son and leading directly to the death of your spouse.

One would think that would be enough motivation to carry the player through to the conclusion. But nope...you meet Piper and her anti-Institute paper. Heading to Goodneighbor nets you Hancock holding a public rally decrying the Institute to the citizenry. And then you've got the companions who won't. shut. up. about the Institute. Nick and Piper are kind of understandable...but even Cogsworth won't stop yammering on about how EEEEEEVVVVVIIIIILLLL the Institute is.

At this point, I'm sick of hearing about it. The big, nasty, scary Institute is suffering diminishing returns by how much the residents of the Commonwealth seem to be collectively crapping themselves over it. It doesn't do the mystique of a secret organization any favors if everyone and their robot butler knows and talks about them.

They're not actually a secret organization.

Doctor Zimmer explains he's from them, that they make androids, and asks for your help in finding his android in Fallout 3.

They make no secret they exist.

They just don't often interact with people save with their weapons/robots.

Fair enough, but I'm sick of hearing about them non-stop. Cogsworth is standing atop the battlements of the Castle, screeching to all in the courtyard down below of the evil and wasteful nature of the Institute. I half expect to look up and see a pulpit and a clerical collar around the droid while waving a Owner's Manual and talking about Robot Hell.

Yeah, it's good when other people show up that people can talk about.

It does lead to a good reversal, though.

Albeit, expect MORE institute piping from Nick Valentine.

Nick's staying in Diamond City for the same reason Strong is staying at Trinity Tower. My current character trusts both as far as he can throw them. Also, I'm not sure I could handle Nick gabbering on about the Institute in addition to Cogsworth's "sermons".

Check out the Combat Zone for someone who doesn't give a [censored] about the Institute as a companion.

There's also Paladin Danse who doesn't care about the Institute but SYNTHS.