[jvm___]

If you're going for a PhD or researching some obscure, furthest reach study of some mathematical principle and you get stuck. One of the ways to move forward is to hope that Terence Tao finds your topic interesting and can give you a few minutes of his time - because he'll probably have some ideas for moving your research forward.

[daynthelife]

Conversely, there’s a running joke that you’re in big trouble if Terry Tao takes too much of an interest in your topic of study, since he will inevitably solve all but the hardest problems in the field.

[benibela]

I got stuck solving a polynomial equation system for years

Perhaps I should try sending him a mail