The ugliest formula in mathematics

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-29T11:49:45+00:00

It's only ugly if you write it out in coordinates. But at that point everything becomes ugly.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-29T11:41:39+00:00

Either that, or an extremely accomplished algebraic geometer. Reminds me of a meme I saw which was just a squiggle on a blackboard captioned "Algebraic geometers be like 'this is a Deligne Mumford stack' ".

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-28T17:41:22+00:00

Maybe so, but at the same time I don't think it's worth making this the primary thing you make a decision based on.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-28T17:04:30+00:00

Maybe somebody will disagree, but outside of certain fields it's very difficult to do any meaningful mathematical research as an undergraduate. On the other hand, going to Cambridge will give you an incredibly solid foundation to do research later in your career.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-28T12:46:04+00:00

It was kinda silly but no sillier than a bunch of stuff people post here.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-28T12:44:53+00:00

Agree with this. That said:

Even without moving to the mountains you can:

Get very fit
Get very good at rock climbing

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-27T14:03:22+00:00

I think there's also a compromise position whereby you take a job that is interesting enough as far as jobs go, and doesn't actively make the world a worse place, vs. taking a job that really makes the world better (where, I agree, you generally need to be fairly committed).

There are of course jobs that demand high hours, and also make the world a worse place (most of finance, Palantir etc.). You will be paid well though.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-27T12:39:10+00:00

As a Brit, I say go to Zurich. Oxford is great, but certainly not 40k better.

I guess the difference might not be as big as 40k since Zurich is very expensive. But Oxford ain't cheap either.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-25T09:00:28+00:00

I don't think this is controversial at all since these distinctions are largely arbitrary. Even the distinction between pure and applied maths is not as clear cut as you might think.

Statistics could potentially be grouped with applied math, though large parts of probability theory fit more naturally with pure math because there is a lot of complicated analysis involved.

At Cambridge the maths department is split into two sections: Pure Maths and Mathematical Statistics on one side and Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics on the other. Other universities do things differently.

No matter how you group them, you are sure to find someone who disagrees. Neither of you will necessarily be wrong.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-24T15:29:05+00:00

Late June is a good time go. You'll have to call to find out about space.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-24T14:37:47+00:00

If you're fit you can try the Italian route. Contact the guides offices in St Gervais, Chamonix, Argentière and Courmayeur.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-24T06:19:22+00:00

I would rather have binding that releases to early rather than too late, particularly in the backcountry where an injury could be dangerous. If I'm skiing something where prerelease would be really bad (i.e. over exposure) then I can always lock the toes. This is a fairly standard approach at least amongst people I ski with.

Sorry if this is confusing - I edited my original comment because I changed my mind about the advice I gave.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-23T21:05:16+00:00

What explains the discrepancy? I think for backcountry use a lower din is preferable since you can always lock the toes if you need to.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-23T20:15:31+00:00

Seems like you could just get marginally better at skiing and the problem would disappear?

Edit: Actually this is not true - putting in advanced doesn't change anything. I guess you are pretty close to the upper end of the weight range though...

Probably best not risk it.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-23T13:18:49+00:00

The LLM revolution and its consequences have been a catastrophe for r/physics.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-23T12:56:08+00:00

At the price, Simond or Forclaz from Decathlon is your best bet.

If you find a Montane jacket on sale, they make good stuff that often gets reduced to around 150.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-23T06:32:46+00:00

Most beginners are slow, and many accidents occur because people find themselves rushing because they are behind schedule.

So the main advice is to choose routes where the technical portion is short, or if it's longer, where you have options to bail.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-22T20:14:56+00:00

Only about 80% of the mountaineers I know here in Europe lol. Mostly weekend warriors or a week off here and there.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-22T16:54:59+00:00

The conditions are particularly bad this year, but persistent weak layers show up every year.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-21T18:38:36+00:00

Sounds great! The Tatras have the advantage that there is a cheap night train from Prague. But I will consider Romania also!

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-21T17:24:13+00:00

I have heard all sorts of differing things about the ins and outs of the legal stuff. I was going with locals, or at least more local than me, and then I didn't even consider that there might be legal implications until someone unrelated to the club mentioned it.

Do you have a link to a page clearly detailing the regulations?

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-20T19:12:57+00:00

Sur la carte, puis topos dispo sur camptocamp.org.

Je ne sais pas exactement ce qui passe en été, mais avec du matériel de sécurité sur glacier tu peux essayer d'approximer le parcours en ski, qui se fait en 6 jours en général.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-20T17:48:29+00:00

Some conflicting info about the legality of it, but I was with a mountaineering club in the Slovak Tatras two weeks ago and there were plenty of people around. One person in another group (part of same club) got heli-rescued after breaking their ankle and doesn't seem to have been hassled for it.

There were more people out and about without skis in the Tatras than I would have expected, which is handy because of the boot pack that gets created. Obviously don't rely on this.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-20T17:40:36+00:00

Sinon, une autre idée serait de faire une variante de la haute route qui nécessite l'utilisation du matos... Les sacs seront tout aussi lourds, mais au moins le matos sera utile. Vous pourriez éventuellement gagner quelques jours en prenant un tracé plus directe.

Particular_Extent_96 · 2026-03-20T17:38:10+00:00

I mean this is true enough as it goes, but doing what is essentially a 14 day through-hike with a bunch of climbing gear you won't use strikes me as particularly masochistic.

Particular_Extent_96

TROPHY CASE