Pseudoholomorphic Cthuluoid

[locallyramifiedprime]

Introduction

Hi all!

I'm William; as you can probably guess from the blog name, I'm a mathematician. I enjoy a lot of areas of math and physics but I'm especially interested in algebraic number theory. I probably won't post much if ever about the math that I actually do. I've recently finished a masters program and I'm hoping to start a PhD program soon.

Outside of math, I do a lot of knitting and some video games. Some of the game related art and writing stuff I put on @theforgeofweeks. I'm fairly new to art and trying out both physical and digital media. I post far more there than I do here.

I also enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy, though I never have as much time for reading as I would like. I frequently get very into hobbies for short periods of time and then take very long breaks.

I'll add more here as I think about it.

[cauchyfeelings]

My toxic trait is downloading yet another pdf that I will “get to soon”.

[locallyramifiedprime]

I used to always think that the Magnus Archives fear entity I was most aligned with was the eye, probably some combination of wanting to see myself in Jon, and thinking that as a curious academic who seeks out more and more knowledge, that it was the natural fit.

I’m coming to realize that I’ve always been called to the lonely and the vast though. The ocean and the sky both call to me and always have. It’s been years since I’ve been able to, but flying/sailing single person planes and sailboats is some of the most relaxing stuff I’ve done. I could lose my self in time just staring into the sky day or night or into the waves. The first and only repeated dream I’ve had, over a decade ago, was just an endless storm in all directions with me floating in the center of it all.

Not really sure what to do with this realization. I do also frequently feel the isolation of it, which is something I’m trying to work on in myself. But I think even if I don’t feel the isolation, that call to be alone would still feel like a positive thing.

[kingcatnine]

reminding everyone to wear sunscreen because the sun is a deadly laser: 😁😊

having to spend 10 minutes slathering yourself in grease just to safely be outside in the sun for 20 minutes. because the sun is a deadly laser: 😐👎

[twig-the-escaped-cephalopod]

relistening to some of the episodes of TMA with my parents and. wow. so much stuff i forgot. so much foreshaqdowing. i love this podcast

[locallyramifiedprime]

just started relistening to it with a friend I introduced to it today and still being reminded of new connections

[rosegeode]

I love when there’s clearly something wrong but it’s actually so normal though

[failbettergames]

same

[tiredthembo]

bitches will love magic systems and then dread studying stem because its hard. Like, your mind IS the magic! Physicists, biologists, and chemists are literal wizards. They can transmute substances and cure diseases and predict the future. Engineers have made structures that stand for millennia and rocks that think and enchanted clothes and wonders we can barely imagine. Mathematicians are eldritch creatures that can peer into the fabric of reality and will reveal what they see if only you learn their language.

So yes, stem is difficult and esoteric and maybe can’t be mastered, but its literal magic and its everywhere and if you can’t appreciate that, I don’t even know how you get through the day.

this is also a reminder to take care of your mind. Magic runs on your mind and sheer willpower. If you’re studying late and getting drowsy, go to sleep. Consider meditating if you’re stressed out. Exercise regularly. It’s definitely not easy, but the benefits are real.

[theforgeofweeks]

Ryley Robinson Farewell to 4546B

This is surreal. I’ve finally done it. I’ve built a rocket; I’ve cured myself. I’ve disabled the quarantine platform. Just one week ago I didn’t even think I would survive. And just two months ago I didn’t even know I was carrying a deadly infection.

I’ve been spending some time at Lifepod 5; contemplating how lucky I had to have been to end up in one of the few life pods still floating and end up in the shallows too. It was a rough start, but the PDA did a good job of keeping me alive early on. There’s only so much it can do on a planet like this though and with a bacteria like Kharaa. It’s been luck and in large part the Sea Emperor that got me this far.

I don’t really know where I go from here. I mean, obviously back to “civilization” for now. Someone has to tell their stories. To tell the galaxy about Bart and Ozzy and Captain Quinn and all the rest. And the Kharaa and the cure as well. I worry about what Alterra may do once they find out what is here. But they will clearly send a ship out here eventually. The Aurora already had a mission to find the Degasi. And with the Aurora and the Sunbeam downed as well, it’s only a matter of time until they send someone else out here to find out what happened. As funny as it would be to let Alterra spend all their money crashing into 4546B; it’s not fair to the people on those ships. I just wish I could do something to stop Alterra from coming back. The Precursors weren’t great for the Sea Emperor and the rest of the environment here; I suspect Alterra will be much worse.

Still; there’s no way I’m letting Alterra claim that I’m trillions in debt to them. It’s their fault I was here in the first place. If that’s how they want to treat me; I’ll just leave. Maybe I’ll come back here. Unfortunately, it’s time for me to go now. I probably won’t be able to use my PDA much while I’m on the Neptune. Or maybe I’ll be awake the whole time and have nothing to do but sit in contemplation and stare at the stars. I’ve never been great with predicting interstellar travel times — especially with these new ion drives, so I don’t really know how long I’ll be stuck on here. I suspect it will be long enough I’ll be desperate for real ground and water. Until then… well, there’s always the view.

[locallyramifiedprime]

Yay, more finished projects of mine! Both digital art pieces and creative writing. It’s been so long since I finished any sort of personal project that wasn’t knitting. I’ve been really enjoying the gentle push of motivation that comes from trying to get something out fairly regularly.

Next creative writing project is slightly more ambitious, so hopefully I can make it through that too. I just need more complete things in my life.

[locallyramifiedprime]

Finally finished the letters I wanted to write for some friends after running The Lady Afterwards TTRPG for them. Unfortunately it took like 3 months to plan and do because I didn't plan to do it before I ran the sessions. Very happy to have them done now!

[eulers-biggest-fan]

Oh, to be an ancient mage (tenured mathematician) locked in my tower (room with a blackboard) conjuring spells (theorems and proofs) :/

[yorickless]

I would hate to play chess against a kid who's not even like a chess genius, just a reasonably smart kid who plays a decent amount of chess. they'd kick my ass and I would feel bad and not want to do it anymore

[shocked--kwarrtz]

People think it’s the quantum that does the quantizing but it’s not, it’s actually the compactness

[shocked--kwarrtz]

Everything quantized is a winding number. I have seen the true face of the integers and it’s π₁(S¹)

[saxifraga-x-urbium]

Boris "professional idiot" Johnson wanted to build an island airport in the immediate area.

it's fucking visible

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It is fun to learn.

[therealraewest]

Hey what the fuck

You weren't kidding they've been trying to get the masts off for 5 years and keep getting foiled because there's probably bombs leaking out of her

[angeluslupus]

Fun fact: Doxing myself but I live in the blast zone if that thing ever goes up! It's even immortalised in a local artwork:

[hellenhighwater]

hey you're doing a great job, just remember: a semicolon can be used to combine two sentences where you might otherwise use a period; this allows you to create longer and longer run-on sentences

[killldeer]

jeff vandermeer writing sentences with literally seven commas in the pursuit of accurately mimicking human speech patterns is something that can be so personal

[killldeer]

vague spoilers for acceptance but

[snazzy-hats-and-adhd]

I gotta say, the subnautica experience is actually improved by drawing your own map.

[snowdoodleoodle]

scarlet hollow is basically the trolley problem but more fucked up and every day is a different train, and you're the passenger, conductor, and stood outside prepared to flip a switch and you're also the person on the tracks-