I don't agree with this rule of thumb at all. Let's say tomorrow someone comes up with a formally verified proof that a major encryption algorithm underpinning the security of the internet can be trivially broken, but they can't explain it. You're saying it should be kept under wraps and not published?
Tao is essentially saying that the only value in a proof is its ability to be understood, but that's wrong. A proof is also valuable because it establishes a new fact. The fact is useful in itself, even absent an explanation.
Tao is essentially saying that the only value in a proof is its ability to be understood, but that's wrong. A proof is also valuable because it establishes a new fact. The fact is useful in itself, even absent an explanation.