Comment by mcontrac

Math is particularly nice in that whole papers can be discussed/compressed into a single conversation, unlike, a scientific experiment which requires many figures and controls to confirm or deny one's hypothesis. It's why teatime culture is so great in academic math departments worldwide. I'd listen in at my undergrad institution and usually a single conversation between two professors at teatime could be written up into a paper if they really wanted to. During undergrad I was mentored by one of Bill's students, and he'd often comment that Bill's glib throwaways would usually be very profound if you thought through it carefully.