ASCII fluid dynamics. You didn't know you wanted to see this, but you do.https://t.co/DNpdVUM6dr
— ā„¯afael Bailo (@rtsbailo) May 31, 2019
My name is Mason Porter. I am a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at UCLA. Previously I was Professor of Nonlinear and Complex Systems in the Mathematical Institute at University of Oxford. I was also a Tutorial Fellow of Somerville College.
Friday, May 31, 2019
ASCII Fluid Dynamics
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The Oldest Current Major League Baseball Players
I don't know the answer to this, but I wonder how long it's been since there hasn't been anybody who is at least 40 in the Majors?
Friday, May 24, 2019
RIP Murray Gell-Mann (1929–2019)
Update: Here is an obituary from Caltech that focuses on his things like his contributions to particle physics (e.g., his development of quarks and quantum chromodynamics). By contrast, his obituary from Santa Fe Institute focuses on his contributions to the study of complex systems.
Update: The New York Times has now published an obituary.
(Tip of the cap to John Preskill.)
An XKCD Comic about Adjustments for High Altitude
I especially like the Nena one ("Nuclear war can be triggered with only 94 red balloons") and the Scrabble one ("Scrabble letters are worth 16% more").
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Once More, With Feeling: What Happens in Snowbird Stays in Snowbird
Counting the 2014 MRC, this is my 11th trip to Snowbird.
This is possibly the last one that will actually be in Snowbird. (I'm looking forward to the conference being in Portland in 2021.)
Let's get this party started.
Friday, May 17, 2019
Schmutzphysik and Schmutzmathematik
I love the German version of the term!
— Mason Porter (@masonporter) May 17, 2019
As an applied mathematician who studies nonlinear and complex systems, I'll say it loudly and proudly: I study _both_ Schmutzphysik and Schmutzmathematik!
From "When condensed-matter physics became king": https://t.co/uttZ3BMoKB pic.twitter.com/LTgipBv2uc
(I'm also used to the 'schmutz' from Yiddish from the family.)
Thursday, May 16, 2019
"Why Teachers Should Read John Urschel's Book"
— Ben Orlin (@benorlin) May 15, 2019
(Tip of the cap to Alex Kontorovich.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
RIP Tim Conway (1933–2019)
A 'Lucky Charms' Plot
Here is one.
I've wanted to produce a plot with a `Lucky Charms' (@LuckyCharms) theme for years.
— Mason Porter (@masonporter) May 14, 2019
Now I just need to find a good way to put one in a scientific paper. pic.twitter.com/dHChWIkBTM
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Lego Monuments
15 Stunning LEGO Versions Of World Famous Monuments https://t.co/XvWqciWHEl
— Archpng (@archpng) May 11, 2019
Poissonian Fish
Here are some Poisson distributions of fish. pic.twitter.com/wZ367E4GVg
— Mason Porter (@masonporter) May 11, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
The Original People of Los Angeles
Quoting from the vignette: "The original people of Los Angeles, the Tongva, defined their world as Tovaangar. It extended from Palos Verdes to San Bernardino, from Saddleback Mountain to the San Fernando Valley."
(Tip of the cap to Paulette Steeves.)
Thursday, May 09, 2019
Footnote of the Day
This is truly the craziest footnote I have ever seen #twitterstorians pic.twitter.com/Sylg24CHYd
— Kara Schlichting (@KaraSchlichting) May 9, 2019
Update: I was point to this document by a friend of mine. He points out that footnotes 1–4 are very amusing, and I especially like number 3: "If large telescope arrays feel they must talk of attojoules per hectare per century, for some reason, they’re going to have to be careful how they do so; it’s probably best not to even think about atto-Henrys."
Old Book Covers: Much Cooler Than Today
(I already knew this, but this is a particularly good example.)
I love the lengthy title-pages in some historical books. This one is particularly extraordinary!
— Dr Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) September 6, 2018
- The Flash Mirror (c.1840) pic.twitter.com/K7XGUIYOz5
Albert Pujols Becomes Fifth Major Leaguer with 2000 Runs Batted In!
The article shouldn't say that Pujols is the "third" player with 2000 or more RBIs. That statement is highly misleading.
RBIs do involve a lot of help from one's friends, but this is still very nice. Pujols is hanging on that this point, but given how RBIs work, hitting a few homers and having people like Mike Trout on base in front of him for three more years could be enough for Pujols to get the record. The chances are pretty good.
Sunday, May 05, 2019
Tales from the ArXiv: Today's Scientific Acronym Award Winner is "STROOPWAFEL"
I could use a stroopwafel... Yum...
Saturday, May 04, 2019
Friday, May 03, 2019
"Unhappy Meals"
I am surprised, given it's appearance as part of George Carlin's seven dirty words, that a "Pissed Meal" is included. (This would have a far different meaning in the United Kingdom, by the way.) I think that a "DGAF Meal", however, would appeal to me. ;P
(Tip of the cap to John Baker.)
The Geometric Art of Saskia Freeke
Geometric Shapes / 190503#processing #creativecoding #everyday pic.twitter.com/oZXnCLZWSo
— Saskia Freeke (@sasj_nl) May 3, 2019
Thursday, May 02, 2019
An Icosahedral Pecan Pie
Just don't roll a 1 on this 20-sided die.
(Tip of the cap to Karen Kustedjo.)
Topological Trivial Pursuit, Genus VII Edition
It would have been really nice if they had made topologically correct versions of those various games.
Coming soon: "Topological Trivial Pursuit, Genus VII edition"
Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Jigsaw Puzzle Mash-Ups
I think my favorites are #4 and #11.
"Consider yourself hugged." (You'll know it when you see it.)
(Tip of the cap to Sean Blacklidge.)