Fun
Here are some things I am passionate about outside of math.
Science Fiction
I’m an avid Sci-Fi reader; I’m primarily interested in space operas set within deep and detailed worlds. Some of my favorite series include Dune1 by Frank Herbert, The Expanse by James S.A. Corey2, and Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Some one-off books that I’ve enjoyed recently include The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?3 by Philip K. Dick, Towards Eternity by Anton Hur, most of Isaac Assimov’s short stories, and pretty much anything by George Orwell or Ray Bradbury. If you have any book recommendations for me (along these lines or otherwise) please let me know!
Board Games
Though I play a lot of boardgames. I particularly enjoy “euro-style” boardgames characterized by engine building with a lack of (or well controlled) randomness. My favorite game is Terra Mystica, a fantasy-themed engine builder that can be described as a more complex Settlers of Catan with open information. I regularly attend and compete in the Terra Mystica World Open at Terra Mysticon, a Terra Mystica convention run by the community. Alongside other games from the Terra Mystica creators (Gaia Project, Age of Innovation, Terra Nova) I also enjoy playing 7 Wonders, Ticket to Ride, Wingspan, Evolution, Jaipur, Twlight Imperium, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars4. As far as more popular boardgames go, I also enjoy Settlers of Catan and Chess.
Bridge
Like many commutative algebraists over the years, I have come to love the game of Contract Bridge. Bridge has a fearsome reputation for two things: being overly complex and being played exclusively by old people. The first can be true at a high level, but I promise that you can have tons of fun playing Bridge casually. The second, however, is categorically false! I picked up Bridge in grad school with other ostensibly young people and have played with many youngsters outside of that environment as well. If you see me at a conference and want to play bridge (or want to learn how to play!) do come up and ask. I will have a deck of cards on me.
On a similar note, I also enjoy playing The Crew, a fully collaborative trick-taking card game that is also popular among commutative algebraists.
Things You Should Be Passionate About, Too
Alongside the fun stuff, there are a few (in my view, apolitical) things that I would like to use my platform, however small, advocate for. These will have links eventually, so stay tuned!
Privacy and Intentional use of Technology
Supporting Educators and Education for All
I would recommend the first book Dune to anyone: it is a stand-alone masterpiece that is truly prescient for its time. If you like the first book. I’d recommend picking up books 2 and 3, Dune: Messiah and Children of Dune. If you really like those, then read the 4th book, God Emperor of Dune. It is one of the best and weirdest books I’ve ever read. I can’t really recommend the 5th and 6th books unless you are a Dune superfan or a completionist; they tackling some interesting themes but can get a bit weird, to say the least. ↩
Fun fact! James S.A. Corey is (are?) actually two people: Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. ↩
The movies Blade Runner and Blade Runner: 2049 were based on this book. ↩
I would recommend purchasing and supporting every game listed here except this one. ↩