> Do the mental problems and drug addiction of a brilliant musician detract from his or her music? Do you yell "madman" at a painting by van Gogh?
Yes. Completely ignore the degenerates. There are many sober people who have made art and science. You should not allow mentally ill lunatics to define art, music, religion, maths or politics anymore than you will allow them to be your cab driver or spouse.
Clearly science is about sobriety and not schizophrenia. I guess mathematics was hijacked by schizophrenics, music and art by depressed losers. No wonder you are out of touch with reality, practicality and are defending symbols which you think have magical "powers" beyond mere convention.
You can also see this in physics with the string theory garbage, however unlike "pure" mathematics ... in physics people need to test experimentally.
> Yes, and in a sub-thread of the post you've made it clear that you doubt the usefulness of mathematics.
No, I said proofs were tautological and pointless and notation is useless. Formal mathematics is bullshit.
> On several occasions have I and others invited you to comment on very concrete mathematical constructions.
Your sock puppets ?
1. You were asking about fundamental theorem of calculus
This has a very geometric proof. Why would I have a problem with that ? I am all for geometry, visualization, simulation , testing ....
2. A number puzzle
I don't care for number puzzles. I will try to solve that number puzzle if you can write vietnamese jokes.