Well, this is MathOverflow, which is quite separate from the rest of StackExchange and has their own rules. Although this particular question did receive an ins

Well, this is MathOverflow, which is quite separate from the rest of StackExchange and has their own rules. Although this particular question did receive an inspiring answer from an eminent mathematician, MO specifically wants to be a site for research mathematicians to ask and answer each others' research questions. They need to be pretty strict about closing off-topic questions so as not to be overwhelmed with undergrad homework issues or so-called "soft questions."