> Imagine if someone suggested that cars existed for the sake of competition

are the mathematicians the cars here? what are you even saying? the question is whether elite mathematicians do the work they do primarily for competition and compensation or for the love of the field. now ask yourself: do F1 drivers do it primarily for the love of the sport or for the money?

> delivery drivers

people getting scooped by OAI are not the "delivery drivers" of the math world.