[jarekr]

I obviously won't doubt the genius of Terrence Tao, but reading about PhD level research from any other discipline without knowing a yota about it would leave exactly the same impression, even from a lesser scientist. Of course some people are incredibly smart, but there is no need to mythologize their abilities without having any understanding of what they have actually done. Thus I think such an article can only have value for people who at least vaguely understand the mathematics involved.

[robryan]

I think Terrence on his blog does a decent job as coming across as someone who is really smart but has got to that position in maths by spending a lot of time in some pretty narrow fields. He openly admits, like for example when P/NP stuff come up a bit maybe 6 months back, areas where he isn't an expert.

He could probably easily make his knowledge look even more impressive but is humble about what he does and doesn't know.

[idle_processor]

a yota

an iota

[StavrosK]

The pronunciation of γιώτα (iota) in Greek is, actually, exactly "yota", so I'll allow the nonstandard transliteration.

/resident Greek