If we are going to make up new symbols for mathematical objects for every new presentation, why not use a
, b
, c
, d
, ... instead of ξxi1, ξxi2, ξxi3, …?
In fact we can be even simpler by using blocks of colour. Instead of calling the elements of a free group something that requires learning an alphabet, just use blobs / circles / squares coloured red
, green
, blue
, yellow
, purple
--- these are just as good elements of a free basis as x_1, x_2, x_3, ...
.
If I get hit by a truck in the next year, somebody look through my papers and pick up the task of making a watercolour children's-book exposition of schemes and cohomology.
If, in fact, they are as simple as Grothendieck claimed, then you should be able to show them to a pre-linguistic person [cave of dreams, mcluhanisms, lurya, harpers] and they could get insight into it.