I think Dudley's attitude is regrettable. He uses the word "evil" in reference to the incorrect ideas they have, and the time and money wasted by mathematicians

I think Dudley's attitude is regrettable. He uses the word "evil" in reference to the incorrect ideas they have, and the time and money wasted by mathematicians in replying to the cranks. He is more concerned with laughing at them than correcting their misapprehensions. I prefer to see great patience and diligence in those cases where mathematicians do reply, and the facts I mentioned would be good to include (details of a proof, a slightly relaxed version of the problem (and other classic "impossible" problems) which does have a solution).