Of course they can. My point is that mathematicians may increasingly find themselves in the same position as academics in the humanities. Mathematicians themselves will be able to see the inherent value of the work they're doing (just as experts on 18th century novels can in their own field), but it will be far less obvious to society at large why their work should be funded.
Of course they can. My point is that mathematicians may increasingly find themselves in the same position as academics in the humanities. Mathematicians themselves will be able to see the inherent value of the work they're doing (just as experts on 18th century novels can in their own field), but it will be far less obvious to society at large why their work should be funded.