This isn't pure academics. It's applied and constrained by time and resources. 2020 is when IOHK's funding contract expires and renewal is contingent on performance. They've already proven Ouroboros as valid - I bought ADA, it's running. Can someone find a hole in it? Sure. The world could also come to an end tomorrow. Anything's possible. As it is, they've put more rigor than any coin so far run by "gut feeling" (e.g. testing but without formal proofs) rather than formal proofs and verification.

IOHK/Charles is pushing for performance, it's not just academic showboating.

Some of the greatest things ever were created when academic minds and experience were fused with strong business and leadership ethics.. Qualcomm for example - started out with a bunch of Ph.D.'s and a grand idea - CDMA, or rather power control and new modulation and coding schemes applied on CDMA, which is what their invention was (CDMA had existed since WW2 I think, commercially Qualcomm made it happen).

What bothers people is that most of the stuff Charles is talking about is flying way over most people's heads...so instead of sucking it up and learning about it, it's easier to just dismiss him, IOHK, Cardano, etc.

Since I don't know the future anymore than anyone else, you could be right too. Just in case, I put some money down on Cardano/ADA. So maybe I'll be right. If I'm not, feel free to gloat.