Point taken. They do indeed move the story forward; however, there are so few Ravenclaws who do anything in the story (unlike Slytherins and Gryffindors) it's hard to be able to say that these characters are or aren't very good examples of their houses.

I just don't see Spock's defining characteristic as his search for knowledge. He is indeed very smart and definitely curious about outer space (as is just about everyone in the federation), but I see his incredible bravery to the point of being willing to make the ultimate sacrifice at time or two as being far more definitive. This is why I would actually put him in Gryffindor.

Then again, maybe Hogwarts needs a 5th house - the house of pon farr!!!