I'm not saying we should defund math. I'm saying that it's perfectly fair and reasonable to think through how much sense it makes to allocate research funds for

I'm not saying we should defund math. I'm saying that it's perfectly fair and reasonable to think through how much sense it makes to allocate research funds for pure math. More specifically, I'm pushing because on the idea that it isn't okay to discuss this because past math successes have been useful in other areas. People really seem to cling to this argument and it doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe, at the end of the day, after thinking about it, it will make sense to continue funding pure math or even fund it more. I agree that having a top number theorist teach Algebra I is a waste, but it's not a waste having them teaching undergraduate abstract algebra or number theory. The bigger issue is that in many places, there is very little expectation of teaching quality. I'm not sure this is connected to the issue of competition over students. The average math undergrad isn't picking a school based on how many Fields medalists it has. I should say that I took number theory in undergrad from a top number theorist, and he was a phenomenally good teacher. I could have taken abstract algebra from him, too, if I had timed it right. Taking the craft of teaching seriously and being a good researcher aren't mutually exclusive!