Perhaps like Erdos, he could be called more of a problem solver than a theory builder. In contrast to a figure like Cantor, Galois, or Grothendieck whose work has more fundamental ramifications. I think this raises interesting questions about the continued viability of the "great man" theory of methematical/scientific progress going forward. As Tao and Gowers exemplify, the trend is towards increasing collaboration on problems as they became ever more complex and individual mathematicians become ever more specialized. Could the age of the great theory builders one day come to an end? Is it already over?Not that I'm trying to downplay Tao's achievements. How overrated can a Fields medalist really be? They don't hand it out for nothing.
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