> The purpose of most academic papers is not to explain (let alone teach!) ideas in an intuitive manner, but rather to express them in formal, correct, unambiguous terms -- that is, to make them as accurate and critique-proof as possible for publication in some journal. Their intended audience is subject matter experts.
Their purpose really is to let the authors show off how smart they are, impress their peers, and advance their careers. The other properties derive from that.
;-)
edit: I don't want to disparage research in general, BTW, but specifically, the scientific paper redaction process.
I assume you mean the "reduction" process. The "redaction" process is an important part of the scientific process!
I know you were being sarcastic, but I think you are also being a bit unfair. Publication is necessary these days at perhaps an unfortunate rate, I agree.
However at least most research mathematicians publish largely to share ideas. After all, that's the best part of the job. Certainly this is true of the vast majority of them in my experience, and the ones weren't motivated by this tended to be very focused on teaching and very good at it.
Their purpose really is to let the authors show off how smart they are, impress their peers, and advance their careers. The other properties derive from that.
;-)
edit: I don't want to disparage research in general, BTW, but specifically, the scientific paper redaction process.