Comics about mathematics, science, and the student life.

First-Person Plural

A paper with the title "A simple classification of particles", by Martina Laner. The abstract reads, "In this work, we present a new scheme for the known particles. We offer new predictions..." Caption: I love how single authors use the first-person plural.

Apologies to any scientists named Martina Laner out there!

17 Nov 2021

Collision Problem

A Venn diagram with two circles. The first is the things I like, while the second is the things the people I talk to like. In my circle, I'm asking, "Why don't you like the same things I do?" In the other circle, another person responds, "I could ask the same." The intersection of both circles is a very small sliver, with the label, "Finding this intersection in a conversation is my NP-hard problem."

If only we had the time to go through each topic, one by one.

15 Nov 2021

Deep

Three panels. Student Panel: A student stands in a small hole in the ground, and says, "I think I have a deep understanding." Professional Panel: A professional stands in a deeper hole, and says, "I know I have a deep understanding." Master Panel: Only the top half of the master shows, holding a shovel while digging a deeper hole, and says, "How deep can I go?"

Even after studying a topic for a long while, it’s a pleasure to be surprised by a new perspective on it.

Keep digging.

12 Nov 2021

Light Cone

A spacetime diagram with space on the horizontal axis and time on the vertical axis. A large dot in the middle is the moment a new result enters the literature. The light cone shows the maximum speed at which the result can diffuse through the community. But underneath the light cone is where some people assume others heard of a result.

“You haven’t heard of this new result?!”

“No, could you tell me where to look for it?”

“Yeah…oh wait, it’s not published yet.”

10 Nov 2021

Why

A line starting at 0 (left) and increasing (to the right), labeled "Times we ask 'Why?'". Regular people are to the left, curious people are in the middle, and the best researchers are at the far right.

The best researchers are the most patient askers of “Why?”, and because of this often exasperate others.

08 Nov 2021

Factor

Two scientists peering at a blackboard. Scientist 1: "You're off by a factor." Scientist 2: "Oh no, it's just a definition." Scientist 1: "I don't think you can-" Scientist 2: "Hey, I'm the one wielding the math!" Caption: How I correct my mistakes.

The trick is to be so confident that the other person figures you must be right.

05 Nov 2021

Appetite

Scientist 1: "I liked your paper. When is the next one coming?" Scientist 2, throwing their hands in the air: "I just published it, and it took months to finish!" Scientist 1: "So...in a few weeks?"

“You know, I don’t have an army of students to do the work for me. I’m a one-woman group.”

“Okay, that’s fair. I’ll give you a month. That should be enough!”

03 Nov 2021

Distorted

A graph of how important you think a paper is versus the time you spend reading it. The graph is linear, and at the far-right, the label is "This better not be a waste of time."

The classic sunk cost fallacy.

01 Nov 2021

Tools

Top left panel: Teacher to the student, holding a box labeled "Year One": "Here's your first set of math tools." "Thanks." Top right panel: New teacher, holding a box labeled "Year Two": "Here's the next set." "Uh, thanks?" The first box is already at the student's feet. Bottom left panel: The boxes are now piled on top of each other, and the student wonders, "Uh, will we start learning how to use these-" The next teacher cuts in, "More tools!" She carries a new box. Bottom right panel, after a few more years: Another teacher arrives with more tools, saying, "Don't you love new tools?" The student, buried under a pile of boxes with too many tools, says, "Help!"

Professors always say that learning mathematics is all about, “adding new tools to your toolbox”. The problem is that they may be a little too enthusiastic about it. I sometimes need a teacher to come in and say, “Let’s take some time to organize and understand your tools.” If only!

29 Oct 2021

Seesaw

Left panel (Undergraduate): A seesaw with a rock on each end, labeled "Math Skills" and "Coding Skills". The "Math Skills" rock is heavier. Right panel (Graduate): The "Coding Skills" rock is heavier here.

In my case, it feels like this relationship really is a zero-sum game.

27 Oct 2021