Matt Mack
@matthras.bsky.social
Hard-of-hearing + mild AuDHD mathematician, cellist, anime+manga+VTuber fan with a giant backlog of games and books to get through. Chronically online: [email protected], [email protected], matthras.com
Pinned
Matt Mack
@matthras.bsky.social
· Oct 23
Howdy! I'm currently a PhD student #mathbio but have an eclectic mix of interests/specialties including:
🧶knitting/crochet/cross-stitch
🦻accessibility esp. in maths
👨🏫maths education
🧮operations research
🎵classical music
And am always groaning about how little time there is to learn everything!
🧶knitting/crochet/cross-stitch
🦻accessibility esp. in maths
👨🏫maths education
🧮operations research
🎵classical music
And am always groaning about how little time there is to learn everything!
P.S. It has edited subtitles done by yours truly 😁
Prof Ben Burton’s public lecture “Some Very Queer #Mathematics” is now online, marking 75 years of the Turing Test and celebrating Alan Turing’s & LGBTQIA+ contributions to maths. @amermathsoc.bsky.social @chadtopaz.bsky.social @lgbtqstem.bsky.social #MathSky #ITeachMath #AcademicSky
UQ Turing Test Public Lecture: Some Very Queer Mathematics
YouTube video by UQ Science
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:19 AM
P.S. It has edited subtitles done by yours truly 😁
I'm so silly. I downloaded and printed a "Fruits in Season" calendar so that I know when to buy/try certain fruits.
Then I realised the time I'd most likely use/reference it is while I'm actually at the grocers deciding so the digital version on phone would suffice /facepalm
Then I realised the time I'd most likely use/reference it is while I'm actually at the grocers deciding so the digital version on phone would suffice /facepalm
January 20, 2026 at 9:14 AM
I'm so silly. I downloaded and printed a "Fruits in Season" calendar so that I know when to buy/try certain fruits.
Then I realised the time I'd most likely use/reference it is while I'm actually at the grocers deciding so the digital version on phone would suffice /facepalm
Then I realised the time I'd most likely use/reference it is while I'm actually at the grocers deciding so the digital version on phone would suffice /facepalm
Of course I get a brilliant idea for my talk in two weeks the Monday after the deadline of when I'm supposed to have submitted my title & abstract 😒🧠
My brain seems to like getting ideas while I'm walking to/from work, grr...
My brain seems to like getting ideas while I'm walking to/from work, grr...
January 18, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Of course I get a brilliant idea for my talk in two weeks the Monday after the deadline of when I'm supposed to have submitted my title & abstract 😒🧠
My brain seems to like getting ideas while I'm walking to/from work, grr...
My brain seems to like getting ideas while I'm walking to/from work, grr...
Darned a hole in one of my (admittedly fancier-than-generic-cotton so it feels like it's worth preserving) socks for the first time using some spare yarn I'd normally use for crochet.
I, uh, let's hope future darnings look better! 😅
I, uh, let's hope future darnings look better! 😅
January 18, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Darned a hole in one of my (admittedly fancier-than-generic-cotton so it feels like it's worth preserving) socks for the first time using some spare yarn I'd normally use for crochet.
I, uh, let's hope future darnings look better! 😅
I, uh, let's hope future darnings look better! 😅
TIL Youtube had a hidden subtitle format (.ytt, .srv3) that allowed for much greater customisation of subtitles (colours, placement, vertical text). But users are now reporting that their subtitle files are being deleted off such videos.
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January 18, 2026 at 12:36 AM
TIL Youtube had a hidden subtitle format (.ytt, .srv3) that allowed for much greater customisation of subtitles (colours, placement, vertical text). But users are now reporting that their subtitle files are being deleted off such videos.
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Watched movie Fighting with my Family (2019) last night. It's a very comfortable 4/5, a pleasant watch of a rag-to-riches based-on-a-true-story that gives insight into the wrestling world. Solid acting by all, really loved the raw display of emotions.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Watched movie Fighting with my Family (2019) last night. It's a very comfortable 4/5, a pleasant watch of a rag-to-riches based-on-a-true-story that gives insight into the wrestling world. Solid acting by all, really loved the raw display of emotions.
Reposted by Matt Mack
📢 Jobs! arXiv is looking for editorial support to help tame the waves of incoming submissions.
Two postings today (US-based):
1. arXiv Assistant Production Editor
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
2. arXiv User Support Assistant
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
Two postings today (US-based):
1. arXiv Assistant Production Editor
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
2. arXiv User Support Assistant
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
January 16, 2026 at 8:40 PM
📢 Jobs! arXiv is looking for editorial support to help tame the waves of incoming submissions.
Two postings today (US-based):
1. arXiv Assistant Production Editor
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
2. arXiv User Support Assistant
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
Two postings today (US-based):
1. arXiv Assistant Production Editor
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
2. arXiv User Support Assistant
cornell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CornellCaree...
Almost got distracted by a heel hole in one of my socks and googling darning mushrooms/sewing repair kits before realising I could just use an empty medium-sized pill bottle and existing materials. Anyway, off to work!
January 15, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Almost got distracted by a heel hole in one of my socks and googling darning mushrooms/sewing repair kits before realising I could just use an empty medium-sized pill bottle and existing materials. Anyway, off to work!
What's an Asian savoury treat/snack that you like?
It's Lunar New Year next month and I'm looking for ideas on what to make to share at work. The last few months I've been working through 'stuff with red bean paste inside' but definitely need more ideas!
It's Lunar New Year next month and I'm looking for ideas on what to make to share at work. The last few months I've been working through 'stuff with red bean paste inside' but definitely need more ideas!
January 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
What's an Asian savoury treat/snack that you like?
It's Lunar New Year next month and I'm looking for ideas on what to make to share at work. The last few months I've been working through 'stuff with red bean paste inside' but definitely need more ideas!
It's Lunar New Year next month and I'm looking for ideas on what to make to share at work. The last few months I've been working through 'stuff with red bean paste inside' but definitely need more ideas!
Mildly amused at the R library called 'VIM' and realising that I can't google a basic cheatsheet of commands because it gets conflated with the Vim text editor. Oh well, (free) ChatGPT to the rescue!
January 14, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Mildly amused at the R library called 'VIM' and realising that I can't google a basic cheatsheet of commands because it gets conflated with the Vim text editor. Oh well, (free) ChatGPT to the rescue!
I've FINALLY patched a piece of my missing knowledge of support vector machines (SVM). It was about how the optimisation problem within it is solved, turns out it's a (solvable!) quadratic programming formulation for which algorithms already exist. Unf, satisfying 😁
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January 13, 2026 at 1:05 AM
I've FINALLY patched a piece of my missing knowledge of support vector machines (SVM). It was about how the optimisation problem within it is solved, turns out it's a (solvable!) quadratic programming formulation for which algorithms already exist. Unf, satisfying 😁
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Random Thought: Google Maps needs a "minimize cognitive load" option for drivers who are happy to arrive a few minutes later if it meant they didn't have to take as many turns, stop by many traffic lights, etc 🤔🙃
January 12, 2026 at 4:03 AM
Random Thought: Google Maps needs a "minimize cognitive load" option for drivers who are happy to arrive a few minutes later if it meant they didn't have to take as many turns, stop by many traffic lights, etc 🤔🙃
I dislike that this is bothering me but in The Pitt I need the coffee cups (and anything else they drink out of) to actually look a little weighty because it's /too obvious/ to me that they're empty from the lack of resistance when the actors drink from them asd;lfkajsdfkl;j
January 11, 2026 at 4:29 AM
I dislike that this is bothering me but in The Pitt I need the coffee cups (and anything else they drink out of) to actually look a little weighty because it's /too obvious/ to me that they're empty from the lack of resistance when the actors drink from them asd;lfkajsdfkl;j
While shaving this morning I was musing about the differences/nuances between "In life, the only constant is change" versus "being in survival mode as a result of too much (unexpected) change" 🤔 Definitely some different contexts considered here!
January 11, 2026 at 2:56 AM
While shaving this morning I was musing about the differences/nuances between "In life, the only constant is change" versus "being in survival mode as a result of too much (unexpected) change" 🤔 Definitely some different contexts considered here!
Today's Small Win: Swung by an op shop today before having lunch with a friend, found a larger French press for only $4, woo!
The lunch was awesome too, Thai restaurant, definitely legit, keen to try their other offerings 😁
The lunch was awesome too, Thai restaurant, definitely legit, keen to try their other offerings 😁
January 10, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Today's Small Win: Swung by an op shop today before having lunch with a friend, found a larger French press for only $4, woo!
The lunch was awesome too, Thai restaurant, definitely legit, keen to try their other offerings 😁
The lunch was awesome too, Thai restaurant, definitely legit, keen to try their other offerings 😁
Recently I intervened in a heated group chat (body corp with other apartment owners in the same block as mine) and it's making me think about how much people dislike group projects at Uni but it's like, interacting with random others is very realistic in the real world.
January 9, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Recently I intervened in a heated group chat (body corp with other apartment owners in the same block as mine) and it's making me think about how much people dislike group projects at Uni but it's like, interacting with random others is very realistic in the real world.
It's fascinating how much my brain shuts off relative to level of environmental noise, unfortunately my hearing aid isn't that good at filtering it out yet 🥲
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM
It's fascinating how much my brain shuts off relative to level of environmental noise, unfortunately my hearing aid isn't that good at filtering it out yet 🥲
Everytime my hearing aid turns on, it says "Left" into my ear to indicate that it's turned on.
However the borked software update has made it such that it's randomly rebooting itself at 1-2 minute intervals within random larger time spans, so I'm hearing random "Left"s 😵💫
However the borked software update has made it such that it's randomly rebooting itself at 1-2 minute intervals within random larger time spans, so I'm hearing random "Left"s 😵💫
January 5, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Everytime my hearing aid turns on, it says "Left" into my ear to indicate that it's turned on.
However the borked software update has made it such that it's randomly rebooting itself at 1-2 minute intervals within random larger time spans, so I'm hearing random "Left"s 😵💫
However the borked software update has made it such that it's randomly rebooting itself at 1-2 minute intervals within random larger time spans, so I'm hearing random "Left"s 😵💫
An affordable-for-me second-hand electric cello has popped up on Facebook and the seller is in the same state as I am. This feels like too good of an opportunity to pass up but I'm also NOT in the best position to fully take advantage of it just yet arrrrrrrrrgh.
January 4, 2026 at 9:34 AM
An affordable-for-me second-hand electric cello has popped up on Facebook and the seller is in the same state as I am. This feels like too good of an opportunity to pass up but I'm also NOT in the best position to fully take advantage of it just yet arrrrrrrrrgh.
Occasionally I'd buy stuff from like, indie artists, small local online businesses, and they'd usually throw in a little extra as like a "Thank you" and usually I find it inconvenient or ask "...why?"
According to my mum (who sells iconography supplies) the oldies love it 🤔
According to my mum (who sells iconography supplies) the oldies love it 🤔
January 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Occasionally I'd buy stuff from like, indie artists, small local online businesses, and they'd usually throw in a little extra as like a "Thank you" and usually I find it inconvenient or ask "...why?"
According to my mum (who sells iconography supplies) the oldies love it 🤔
According to my mum (who sells iconography supplies) the oldies love it 🤔
I'm wondering how well an ear trumpet would work for me in case my hearing aid gronks out 🤔
There are definitely times where I have to wait for it to charge for when I don't insert it properly into the charger the night before 🙄
There are definitely times where I have to wait for it to charge for when I don't insert it properly into the charger the night before 🙄
January 3, 2026 at 6:48 AM
I'm wondering how well an ear trumpet would work for me in case my hearing aid gronks out 🤔
There are definitely times where I have to wait for it to charge for when I don't insert it properly into the charger the night before 🙄
There are definitely times where I have to wait for it to charge for when I don't insert it properly into the charger the night before 🙄
Randomly decided to log back into my CopyMeThat account because late last year it felt like I was lacking in recipe+meal prep ideas. Now thinking I should start up another Obsidian vault for my own personal recipe collection so I can also record my experiments, hmmm... 🤔
January 2, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Randomly decided to log back into my CopyMeThat account because late last year it felt like I was lacking in recipe+meal prep ideas. Now thinking I should start up another Obsidian vault for my own personal recipe collection so I can also record my experiments, hmmm... 🤔
Mum and I swore in the New Year by watching Mr. Robot S1. Now she's at church and I'm drafting work emails because my work to-do list is filling up with too many ideas but I can't schedule them because I have to use a new work laptop which is back in Adelaide as;dfjkaskj;
December 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Mum and I swore in the New Year by watching Mr. Robot S1. Now she's at church and I'm drafting work emails because my work to-do list is filling up with too many ideas but I can't schedule them because I have to use a new work laptop which is back in Adelaide as;dfjkaskj;
2025 and this PhD has been good to me thus far. I'm grateful to have something that I can put my head down and concentrate on to occasionally block out the noise of things going on around the world. I can definitely do that for a bit longer 🫡🫡🫡
December 31, 2025 at 12:54 PM
2025 and this PhD has been good to me thus far. I'm grateful to have something that I can put my head down and concentrate on to occasionally block out the noise of things going on around the world. I can definitely do that for a bit longer 🫡🫡🫡
Reposted by Matt Mack
1995, studying in Prague for a year. I went to Bucharest by myself, fully intending to shell out for a hotel since there wasn’t a lot of backpacker-level tourist infrastructure yet. Showed up to the hotel to check in & the desk clerk took one look at me and said “You can’t stay here.”
I would like to hear about a time someone, a stranger even, was very kind to you without any prompting, ulterior motive, or strings attached.
December 31, 2025 at 3:21 AM
1995, studying in Prague for a year. I went to Bucharest by myself, fully intending to shell out for a hotel since there wasn’t a lot of backpacker-level tourist infrastructure yet. Showed up to the hotel to check in & the desk clerk took one look at me and said “You can’t stay here.”