> If so, those mathematicians must be extremely stupid.
Not necessarily. Before modern times mathematicians worked alone and didn't need a notation that others would understand. Newton, for example -- his calculus notation wasn't very good, and over time Liebniz' notation ended up being used instead (completely apart from the issue of who invented the calculus).
> Surely persons of average intelligence must be able to come up with better notations, and find proofs for stuff that is out of reach of those morons?
This doesn't support the thesis that mathematicians are stupid. Most mathematicians only care that they understand their own notation, and give less weight to its comprehensibility to others. And some mathematicians in the distant past deliberately used obscure notation to conceal their work from others.
I would look to educators to come up with a more comprehensible system of notation, not necessarily those at the frontiers of mathematics.
Apart from the fact that you mean the "royal society", yes, both true. They also came into conflict about priority with respect to the calculus. And surprisingly enough, that debate rages on.
Not necessarily. Before modern times mathematicians worked alone and didn't need a notation that others would understand. Newton, for example -- his calculus notation wasn't very good, and over time Liebniz' notation ended up being used instead (completely apart from the issue of who invented the calculus).
> Surely persons of average intelligence must be able to come up with better notations, and find proofs for stuff that is out of reach of those morons?
This doesn't support the thesis that mathematicians are stupid. Most mathematicians only care that they understand their own notation, and give less weight to its comprehensibility to others. And some mathematicians in the distant past deliberately used obscure notation to conceal their work from others.
I would look to educators to come up with a more comprehensible system of notation, not necessarily those at the frontiers of mathematics.