Will it be a golden age or a dark age for mathematics (and science)?

Mathematician Terence Tao ponders the future of mathematics and science, speculating whether we are on the cusp of a golden age or a dark age. He cites the contrast between the rapid progress made in mathematics in the 20th century and the current slowdown in breakthroughs. Tao notes that the past century saw significant advancements in fields like algebraic geometry, number theory, and analysis, but progress in these areas has slowed in recent years. He attributes this slowdown to the increasing difficulty of problems, as well as the shift away from traditional mathematical techniques towards more computational and data-driven approaches. Tao also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the scientific community, including the disruption of research collaborations and the acceleration of online learning.