What is the Most Exciting New Research in Mathematics?

About three weeks ago, I wrote an answer to the question "What is the Most Exciting New Research in Mathematics?" on Quora.

Take a look at what I wrote, and pipe in with your own thoughts.

Humans as Random-Number Generators

I could really use a good random-number generator. :)

Custom Baseball Gloves

I need to find a way to play some softball so that I have an excuse to buy myself a custom glove!

One can put some really garish colors on the gloves. :)

(Tip of the cap to Rob Neyer.)

Grammar and Spelling are Awesome

Yes, yes they are.

(Tip of the cap to George Takei.)

Finance Fairy Tails

Pretty much.

The Reaction of Different Fields of Scholarship to Babies

The latest "issue" of SMBC comics is priceless, and the punchline is absolutely fantastic! (This time, the philosophers are the brunt of the joke.)

Pun-Tourette's Disorder

I have a variant of Pun-Tourette's Disorder.

Overly Honest Slogans For University Majors

These overly honest slogans for university majors are bloody awesome!

It's tough to pick a favorite, but right now I think the one for communications is perhaps the funniest. We'll have to make our own for mathematics, which didn't make the cut for this article.

I know I've seen a bunch of these before, so I also wonder if I have seen (or even posted on my blog?) this exact list before?

(Tip of the cap to George Takei.)

What Happens in Dresden Stays in Dresden (2015 Edition)

Today I am flying to Dresden, Germany for the MAPCOM15 workshop (on the Mathematics and Physics of Multilayer Complex Networks) that I am co-organizing with Alex Arenas.

A certain highly coveted Karate Trophy will also be there, so let's see if it will be passed along to the next recipient.

"What is the Most Exciting New Research in Mathematics?"

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an answer on Quora to the question "What is the Most Exciting New Research in Mathematics?"

Take a look at what I wrote, and please add your thoughts on what areas you think are exciting!

The Fastest Tongue in the West

Yup, the tongue of a chameleon is pretty damn fast. Just ask Rango.

"SMUG": Generating Music and Lyrics from Academic Papers

Yes, that's right. Using a new tool called "SMUG: Scientific Music Generator", one can now generate music and lyrics from academic papers. I love the acronym. :)

I also decided to try SMUG. I generated this work of art from my review article on multilayer networks.

Update: The paper's bibliography includes a citation of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I am amused. :)

Hyperbolic Coffee Drinking

I used this really awesome online tool to generate a hyperbolic image of me drinking coffee.

(Tip of the cap to MoMath: The National Museum of Mathematics.)

A Huge Victory for Equality

In a landmark Supreme Court decision, gay marriage is now legal throughout the United States. This is a huge victory for equality. Also: it's about time.

Also read the awesome closing paragraph of the decision.

This New York Times article recounts highlights of the recent progress.

(Tip of the cap to Rachel Levy for the link to the closing paragraph and to too many people to mention for the news.)

Taylor Swift Will No Longer Review Articles for Nature

Apparently, musician Taylor Swift will no longer review papers for the journal Nature because they are not paying her for her services.

She should probably consider reviewing for Scientific Reports instead, as then she can get paid for her referee reports.

(Tip of the cap to Sang Hoon Lee.)

"Every State Flag is Wrong"

I love the snarky explanations about why every state flag is wrong (though different ones are wrong for different reasons). I am amused. (Tip of the cap to somebody, who I have forgotten.)

Tales from the ArXiv: Analysis of Data from School Shootings

Kudos to Peter Dodds and his collaborators for analyzing data from school shootings using a systemic approach.

I haven't looked in detail at the article (i.e., I am not vetting specific scientific choices and calculations), but I am glad that Peter Dodds and his coauthors are making efforts to look at this data and hopefully come up with something useful.

Sadly, such studies continue to be "timely".

Nonprofit Foundation to Preserve the Word "Schmuck"

Well, not really. But it would be pretty cool, wouldn't it? And naturally, Mel Brooks would have to play a major role in it.

What Happens in Brighton Stays in Brighton

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be heading on the train to "Bright"on to attend the "Sun"belt conference on social network analysis! As you can see from the program, I helped organize a three-part session on multilayer networks.

Time to hang out with some of my sociologist peeps!

Here is an appropriate theme song for my trip.

Groups of Fire

Johnny Cash sang about a "Ring of Fire".

Big Country sang about "Fields of Fire".

Clearly, somebody has to record a song about Groups of Fire. It would provide a sense of completion.

This is what I think about when I am dazed, and I am seeing rings and other algebraic structures show up in a talk. It also reminds me of comments I made as an undergrad about Killing fields.

Update: Also, "ring of functions" naturally makes my mind blurt "ring of fire".