I think the most exciting work in mathematics today is in the formal foundations. However, I can also understand mathematicians who are thinking like this:
1. I only need normal congruence
2. I only need perfect information games
Under problems that are solvable using these two assumptions, there is little benefit in tying proofs back to an axiomatic basis. Once you drop one of these two assumptions, proofs get much harder and a solid foundation gets more important.
1. I only need normal congruence
2. I only need perfect information games
Under problems that are solvable using these two assumptions, there is little benefit in tying proofs back to an axiomatic basis. Once you drop one of these two assumptions, proofs get much harder and a solid foundation gets more important.