User blog comment:Sbiis Saibian/Order of the Kasnerites/@comment-30754445-20170114212905/@comment-5982810-20170114220540

I agree whole heartedly with the sentiments expressed here. Modesty prevented me from saying much about my contribution, but I was one of the first to embrace and promote the idea of "no justifications necessary" googology and the idea that the more seemingly "crankish" traits are what make use distinct from academia and should be celebrated not hid in shame. Does this community frustrate me at times: sure. But I also am glad it came to exist. Could you imagine something like this emerging in a university setting? It would be considered a waste of academic resources. I think you got it spot on: were more akin to fans. If googology has taught me one thing it's this: math is motivated by more than proving theorems or even seeking out "interesting results". It also has elements that are about curiosity, exploration, and creativity. These are things not emphasized nor encourged in the school system and as a result I think people get the very false impression that mathematics is the polar opposite of creativity. Googolgoy allows people, however incompetently at times, to get their hands dirty and experience something usually only reserved for university professors: the experience of creating something mathematical. At very least I have always hoped that googology might help, in whatever small way, change the public perception of mathematics as a whole.