A person's opinion is not really one of the things I'd trust them with. Think about a politician's official opinion on X vs his actions.
Not to mention this could well have been one of Knuth's students or acquaintances. Like others pointed out, the same opinion posted on his website would have had much heavier weight. "Citation needed" was by far the correct reaction.
Not to mention this could well have been one of Knuth's students or acquaintances. Like others pointed out, the same opinion posted on his website would have had much heavier weight. "Citation needed" was by far the correct reaction.