> Here's a question for you, do you think Tao's primary mission is to be a "professional mathematician" or is he just enjoying the math, enjoying teaching, enjoying notation...?
I definitely think that he's earned the right to contribute to the mathematical community in whatever way he sees fit, and, especially if it benefits other people, which it clearly does, then my opinion of it shouldn't and doesn't matter a hill of beans. I just usually feel that he combines those missions—not that he has to, but that he does—and felt that he didn't here; but, again, that is, if at all, very much my problem and not at all his.
I definitely think that he's earned the right to contribute to the mathematical community in whatever way he sees fit, and, especially if it benefits other people, which it clearly does, then my opinion of it shouldn't and doesn't matter a hill of beans. I just usually feel that he combines those missions—not that he has to, but that he does—and felt that he didn't here; but, again, that is, if at all, very much my problem and not at all his.