Comment by chipdart

> I think the ML people want to get (a narrow band) of stuff done and ivory towered people want to understand a prove things. ML is applied mathematic. Both are needed.

I don't agree. First of all, ladder-pulling in math is observed at all levels, not only cutting-edge stuff. Secondly, it's in applied mathematics where pure math takes a queue onto where to focus effort. See how physics drives research into pure math.