In particular look at section 6 where he describes how his research into foliations had the effect of killing the field for a number of years. He contrasts this to how his different approach to geometrization of 3-manifolds lead to the healthy growth of the field. By, among other things, his efforts at exposition, and his deliberate withholding of results he already knew the answer to so that other people could prove them instead.
This is an excellent article, from a researcher who knows what he's talking about (Thurston is a Fields medalist). Section 6 begins on the page numbered 173.
According to Erdos, Gauss was very discouraging to his students, because when they came and told him that they'd proven something, he would tell them he'd proven it years before.
from "The man who loved only numbers.' by Paul Hoffman.
In particular look at section 6 where he describes how his research into foliations had the effect of killing the field for a number of years. He contrasts this to how his different approach to geometrization of 3-manifolds lead to the healthy growth of the field. By, among other things, his efforts at exposition, and his deliberate withholding of results he already knew the answer to so that other people could prove them instead.