mhoye but seasonally spooky on Nostr: That is, rather than growing understanding outwards towards novel goals via ...

That is, rather than growing understanding outwards towards novel goals via previously undiscovered paths, the structure of exploration is inverted. Perhaps more importantly, the fact that end result, previously the goal, can now be assumed means the expense of the effort of investigation is no longer beyond question. Now, "why are we doing all this work" is on the table.

Turning the economics of mathematics on its head will turn the politics of mathematics on its head.