[shuringai]

Block ciphers are modelled formally as indexed permutation groups, which you do round-by-round, irrespective of the mode of operation. ShiftRows and SubBytes heavily impact this formal model while the mode of operation is not. Your thinking is too practical and "close to code" and as usual, it makes the false claim that the mathematical rigor is unnecessary in cryptology

[Thorrez]

Why do you think tptacek's thinking "makes the false claim that the mathematical rigor is unnecessary in cryptology"? It doesn't seem to me like either the article or the comment talk about mathematical rigor.