[hutzlibu]

Not commenting about this specific case, but I know some people just like to feed their ego, by lecturing so "high" no one can understand them, so they reinforce their believe, that they themself are clearly the most intelligent person around.

[laichzeit0]

However, in von Neumann’s case it could legitimately be argued that he was the most intelligent person around.

[dandanua]

It's hard to prove that someone does this on purpose. Some lecturers indeed don't bother to go down to earth. But it's not necessary because of their ego. If a "high" presentation has a meaning and a reason, then it's justifiable.

Though some people indeed complicate their lectures for no reason.

[hutzlibu]

I am not necessarily say people does this with clear purpose. Even though the specific professor I have in mind, probably did. But unconsciously, I'd say people do this a lot in general.

I sometimes do it, when I am angry at a person, not on par with me intellectual. Then out of bad old habit I speak a very high language to underline my competence and lower the other person for not understanding it. I witnessed that behavior quite some times with other persons, too and thats probably why I aquired it myself at some point. But I try to get rid of it, as it is not at all helping with communication. And I think the high lecturing is in the same category. To boost oneself.

But agreed, most too high lectures are probably just happening out of lazyness or unawareness, to get down on the level of the students.

[bsanr2]

The interesting thing about this dynamic is that you'll often have people who can formulate cutting arguments on the spot, used against someone who is slower but who tends to think more deeply, given enough time. So, with some thought, those arguments are easy for the second person to eventually break down, and while the first can usually rebut quickly (often with more high-sounding nonsense), they're (if they have any self awareness at all) left with the nagging truth of the first conflict's takedown.

And now no one is happy.

Generally it's better to just be smart than to try to prove or weaponize it.

[watwut]

Hard to prove in words, because proving intentions, arrogance and other interpersonal subtleties is always hard.

But relatively easy to notice if you take time to watch lectures themselves. Ego driven complexity is different then inability to explain complexity or it is complicated complexity.

[gnunez]

Also, seems kind of rude as a teacher to erase equations off the board "before students could copy them". Would it hurt so much to ask, has every written this equation?