Marcello Seri
@mseri.me
Associate prof at Bernoulli Institute, Groningen. Proud dad, mathematical physicist, #OCaml enthusiast, LEGO aficionado, amateur photographer, mushroom lover, fresh podcaster
#mathsky #physics #scicomm #ocaml #edusky
Also @mseri@mathstodon.xyz
#mathsky #physics #scicomm #ocaml #edusky
Also @mseri@mathstodon.xyz
Pinned
Marcello Seri
@mseri.me
· Jun 23
S2E08 - Actively learning mathematics with Brendan Kelly by It’s Not Just Numbers
In this special episode, we return to the topics of learning and teaching mathematics. We are joined by Brendan Kelly, Director of Introductory Mathematics at Harvard University, to discuss the…
creators.spotify.com
Mathematics is a powerful language, but getting acquainted to it can be painful and discouraging, especially if you are not really interested in it. But it can be different!
Listen to us on creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/... or your favourite podcast platform
#🧮 #EduSky
Listen to us on creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/... or your favourite podcast platform
#🧮 #EduSky
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Long time ago I snuck into edge hq trying to pitch my book on art/mathematics, not realizing the elevator basically put me in Brockman’s office w/no receptionist. He had me escorted out quickly. Article is a chilling look at the culture around Epstein & those who looked the other way/were complicit
This gets to some important points. There was always something cold, even chilling, about Brockman's "Edge" culture. That feeling still pervades some scientific circles. There's a real problem here that won't go away with Epstein.
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20...
Jeffrey Epstein infiltrated science because it was ready to accommodate him
What could “nerd tunnel vision” possibly mean?
www.theverge.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Long time ago I snuck into edge hq trying to pitch my book on art/mathematics, not realizing the elevator basically put me in Brockman’s office w/no receptionist. He had me escorted out quickly. Article is a chilling look at the culture around Epstein & those who looked the other way/were complicit
After the thrill of skating on the canals a few years (and a few days) ago, here it comes the thrill to skate in the middle of the road: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7An1... :D
#Groningen #CodeRED
#Groningen #CodeRED
Groningen is veranderd in een ijsbaan
YouTube video by Groninger Internet Courant
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:12 PM
After the thrill of skating on the canals a few years (and a few days) ago, here it comes the thrill to skate in the middle of the road: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7An1... :D
#Groningen #CodeRED
#Groningen #CodeRED
For the same reasons the YAG pub lectures are canceled today. New date TBA
Weather update #2 - 4 February ❄️
UG buildings will remain closed all day, including the University Library. Only PhD ceremonies in the Academy Building will go ahead as planned.
Lecturers will decide themselves whether classes will continue online. More information 👇
www.rug.nl/about-ug/lat...
UG buildings will remain closed all day, including the University Library. Only PhD ceremonies in the Academy Building will go ahead as planned.
Lecturers will decide themselves whether classes will continue online. More information 👇
www.rug.nl/about-ug/lat...
February 4, 2026 at 12:03 PM
For the same reasons the YAG pub lectures are canceled today. New date TBA
Reposted by Marcello Seri
See thread: @matthewcobb.bsky.social points out that the second of these may be a mythical meme, though there were clearly headlines of "Nobel Prize for British Wife" and "Nobel Prize for Wife from Oxford".
While on the topic of sexism and the Nobels, let us recall how the rightwing British newspapers reported Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin's 1964 prize.
Daily Telegraph: "£18,750 Award to Mother of Three"
Daily Mail: Hold my beer -
"Oxford Housewife Wins Nobel."
Daily Telegraph: "£18,750 Award to Mother of Three"
Daily Mail: Hold my beer -
"Oxford Housewife Wins Nobel."
February 4, 2026 at 11:33 AM
See thread: @matthewcobb.bsky.social points out that the second of these may be a mythical meme, though there were clearly headlines of "Nobel Prize for British Wife" and "Nobel Prize for Wife from Oxford".
The Bridging Differences in Higher Education Playbook contains research-based strategies for fostering constructive dialogue, connections, and understanding across group lines. I think it is an excellent starting point to improve the culture at our institutes
ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve...
#edu
ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve...
#edu
Playbooks & Online Course
Resources for learning how to bridge.
ggsc.berkeley.edu
February 4, 2026 at 10:37 AM
The Bridging Differences in Higher Education Playbook contains research-based strategies for fostering constructive dialogue, connections, and understanding across group lines. I think it is an excellent starting point to improve the culture at our institutes
ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve...
#edu
ggsc.berkeley.edu/who_we_serve...
#edu
Reposted by Marcello Seri
The open science team @ @rug.nl has set up a Mastodon starter pack with all UG-institutes and colleagues with an account over there
fedidevs.com/s/ODc1/
fedidevs.com/s/ODc1/
University of Groningen (NL) - Mastodon Starter Pack
Faculties, service units, research groups and staff at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands).
This list is constantly being updated and is not necessarily complete.
fedidevs.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:01 AM
The open science team @ @rug.nl has set up a Mastodon starter pack with all UG-institutes and colleagues with an account over there
fedidevs.com/s/ODc1/
fedidevs.com/s/ODc1/
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Join us in building a strong Network of Assistant Professors in the Netherlands!
If you are an Assistant Professor or equivalent in the Netherlands, we invite you to join APNet, a vibrant community created by and for Assistant Professors across the Netherlands. (1/4)
ap-net.nl/register/
If you are an Assistant Professor or equivalent in the Netherlands, we invite you to join APNet, a vibrant community created by and for Assistant Professors across the Netherlands. (1/4)
ap-net.nl/register/
February 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Join us in building a strong Network of Assistant Professors in the Netherlands!
If you are an Assistant Professor or equivalent in the Netherlands, we invite you to join APNet, a vibrant community created by and for Assistant Professors across the Netherlands. (1/4)
ap-net.nl/register/
If you are an Assistant Professor or equivalent in the Netherlands, we invite you to join APNet, a vibrant community created by and for Assistant Professors across the Netherlands. (1/4)
ap-net.nl/register/
Reposted by Marcello Seri
February 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Unemployment is falling. Inflation is falling. Immigration is falling.
All things which seem to have zero impact on political debate in Europe, and which i suspect millions of voters do not know
All things which seem to have zero impact on political debate in Europe, and which i suspect millions of voters do not know
Eurozone unemployment has never been lower. That’s partially good news, partially a sign of aging societies not being able to replace retiring Baby Boomers.
Retirements > entrants. Youth cohorts are smaller - that explains falling youth unemployment figures. Migration helps, but not enough.
Retirements > entrants. Youth cohorts are smaller - that explains falling youth unemployment figures. Migration helps, but not enough.
February 1, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Unemployment is falling. Inflation is falling. Immigration is falling.
All things which seem to have zero impact on political debate in Europe, and which i suspect millions of voters do not know
All things which seem to have zero impact on political debate in Europe, and which i suspect millions of voters do not know
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Great news and lots of hope. But I will believe it only once it is done and approved😅
Breaking news: New Dutch cabinet reversing €1.5 billion in cuts to education and science
www.scienceguide.nl/2026/01/kabi...
www.scienceguide.nl/2026/01/kabi...
Kabinet-Jetten gaat met 1,5 miljard bezuinigingen op onderwijs en wetenschap terugdraaien - ScienceGuide
Voor investeringen in het onderwijs is door de nieuwe coalitie een envelop van structureel 1,5 miljard euro beschikbaar gesteld. Dit geld wordt onder andere besteed aan terugdraaien van de bezuiniging...
www.scienceguide.nl
January 30, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Great news and lots of hope. But I will believe it only once it is done and approved😅
Don't forget the YAG Pub lectures, each first Wednesday of the month, at Vin Natuur in Groningen. You can see the full program for the remaining academic year attached!
January 30, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Don't forget the YAG Pub lectures, each first Wednesday of the month, at Vin Natuur in Groningen. You can see the full program for the remaining academic year attached!
Reposted by Marcello Seri
it's much worse than an "absence of leadership"
this is one of the most powerful, well-resourced tech companies in human history. Even within the realm of feckless capitulation there's no reason for Cook's extracurriculars (attending this cack, the corny statue) unless you approve of fascism
this is one of the most powerful, well-resourced tech companies in human history. Even within the realm of feckless capitulation there's no reason for Cook's extracurriculars (attending this cack, the corny statue) unless you approve of fascism
“This isn’t leadership. This is an absence of leadership,” an Apple employee said about CEO Tim Cook's latest capitulation: Attending a White House screening of Bezos-funded "Melania" on the night of Pretti's murder.
Read @theintercept.com on the staff rebellion at Apple:
Read @theintercept.com on the staff rebellion at Apple:
Apple Workers Are Livid That Tim Cook Saw “Melania” Movie Hours After CBP Killed Pretti
Internal Slack logs shared with The Intercept show outrage over Cook’s coziness with Trump and Apple's silence on Pretti's death.
theintercept.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:43 PM
it's much worse than an "absence of leadership"
this is one of the most powerful, well-resourced tech companies in human history. Even within the realm of feckless capitulation there's no reason for Cook's extracurriculars (attending this cack, the corny statue) unless you approve of fascism
this is one of the most powerful, well-resourced tech companies in human history. Even within the realm of feckless capitulation there's no reason for Cook's extracurriculars (attending this cack, the corny statue) unless you approve of fascism
Reposted by Marcello Seri
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
January 26, 2026 at 11:39 PM
How many STEM Ph.D.s were lost from the U.S. federal government last year?
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
My colleagues @mghersher.bsky.social and @policyhound.bsky.social dug into a recent data release to find the answer. A @science.org exclusive.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Puike onderzoeksjournalistiek!
Samenwerking met het prestigieuze Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) moest de RUG een koploper maken in onderzoek naar klimaatverandering. Na acht jaar rest er een lege verdieping in de Energy Academy, een lege leerstoel en vooral een vieze nasmaak. ukrant.nl/magazine/de-...
De klimaatmiljarden die niet naar Groningen kwamen
Samenwerking met het Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) moest de RUG een koploper maken in onderzoek naar klimaatverandering.
ukrant.nl
January 28, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Puike onderzoeksjournalistiek!
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Happening today 4pm at Zernike: a Dialogue Session with the Board! Tell them directly what you think about the mergers and reorganizations they are planning.
Science Faction University Council members @therezalangeler.bsky.social and @mseri.me will be there too!
Science Faction University Council members @therezalangeler.bsky.social and @mseri.me will be there too!
January 28, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Happening today 4pm at Zernike: a Dialogue Session with the Board! Tell them directly what you think about the mergers and reorganizations they are planning.
Science Faction University Council members @therezalangeler.bsky.social and @mseri.me will be there too!
Science Faction University Council members @therezalangeler.bsky.social and @mseri.me will be there too!
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Je zou maar aan de universiteit in Tilburg je de pleuris werken om in tijden van ongekende bezuinigingen het onderwijs op acceptabel niveau te houden, en dan lezen dat ergens op de campus een hoogleraar rondloopt die doodleuk ruim zeven modale salarissen binnenharkt 🤮 www.utoday.nl/news/76410/s...
January 27, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Je zou maar aan de universiteit in Tilburg je de pleuris werken om in tijden van ongekende bezuinigingen het onderwijs op acceptabel niveau te houden, en dan lezen dat ergens op de campus een hoogleraar rondloopt die doodleuk ruim zeven modale salarissen binnenharkt 🤮 www.utoday.nl/news/76410/s...
Reposted by Marcello Seri
The Mathematical Society of France will not be at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians, to be held in Philadelphia.
This is great news. I hope other mathematical societies pull out as well. It would help if the @amermathsoc.bsky.social also declined to participate, in solidarity.
This is great news. I hope other mathematical societies pull out as well. It would help if the @amermathsoc.bsky.social also declined to participate, in solidarity.
La SMF ne tiendra pas de stand au Congrès International des Mathématiciens (ICM) de Philadelphie en 2026. (1/3)
(Motion du Conseil d'Administration du 16 janvier 2026)
smf.emath.fr/actualites-s...
(Motion du Conseil d'Administration du 16 janvier 2026)
smf.emath.fr/actualites-s...
ICM 2026 - motion du CA | Société Mathématique de France
La SMF ne tiendra pas de stand à l'ICM de Philadelphie.
smf.emath.fr
January 26, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The Mathematical Society of France will not be at the 2026 International Congress of Mathematicians, to be held in Philadelphia.
This is great news. I hope other mathematical societies pull out as well. It would help if the @amermathsoc.bsky.social also declined to participate, in solidarity.
This is great news. I hope other mathematical societies pull out as well. It would help if the @amermathsoc.bsky.social also declined to participate, in solidarity.
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Het plan voor een slimmer academisch jaar aan de @rug.nl . Ik vind er wat van.
ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
Plan voor slimmer academisch jaar is een bloedeloos compromis
Columnist Dirk-Jan Scheffers keek reikhalzend uit naar de plannen voor een slimmer academisch jaar, maar is nu teleurgesteld: ‘Terug naar de tekentafel.’ Nog lang niet bijgekomen van een avond drinken...
ukrant.nl
January 26, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Het plan voor een slimmer academisch jaar aan de @rug.nl . Ik vind er wat van.
ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
Welcome to the office. Where we are supposed to work and this afternoon also have oral exams 🥶🥶🥶
January 26, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Welcome to the office. Where we are supposed to work and this afternoon also have oral exams 🥶🥶🥶
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Columnist Dirk-Jan Scheffers keek reikhalzend uit naar de plannen voor een slimmer academisch jaar, maar is nu teleurgesteld: ‘Terug naar de tekentafel.’ ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
Plan voor slimmer academisch jaar is een bloedeloos compromis
Columnist Dirk-Jan Scheffers keek reikhalzend uit naar de plannen voor een slimmer academisch jaar, maar is nu teleurgesteld: ‘Terug naar de tekentafel.’ Nog lang niet bijgekomen van een avond drinken...
ukrant.nl
January 26, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Columnist Dirk-Jan Scheffers keek reikhalzend uit naar de plannen voor een slimmer academisch jaar, maar is nu teleurgesteld: ‘Terug naar de tekentafel.’ ukrant.nl/plan-voor-sl...
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Board of Peace - Season 1
Reposted by Marcello Seri
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
Interesting take on the title question. We play and have played an important role, contributing a great deal to the software ecosystem, but in a way that maximises mutual benefit over profit (to be fair, this is true also from many other people everywhere, US included)
ploum.net/2026-01-22-w...
ploum.net/2026-01-22-w...
Why there’s no European Google?
Why there’s no European Google? par Ploum - Lionel Dricot.
ploum.net
January 23, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Interesting take on the title question. We play and have played an important role, contributing a great deal to the software ecosystem, but in a way that maximises mutual benefit over profit (to be fair, this is true also from many other people everywhere, US included)
ploum.net/2026-01-22-w...
ploum.net/2026-01-22-w...
Reposted by Marcello Seri
This is straight up terrifying:
Because the quality even on the smaller models is amazing and the web demo-version is about 1/4 real-time, it would probably be reasonable to make it realtime probably even on an iPhone 17 given the built-in TPU.
There is SO much malice this offers up...
Because the quality even on the smaller models is amazing and the web demo-version is about 1/4 real-time, it would probably be reasonable to make it realtime probably even on an iPhone 17 given the built-in TPU.
There is SO much malice this offers up...
Qwen released a new Apache 2.0 licensed text-to-speech model, with full voice cloning abilities, and it's really effective - my notes from trying it out here: simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/22/...
Qwen3-TTS Family is Now Open Sourced: Voice Design, Clone, and Generation
I haven't been paying much attention to the state-of-the-art in speech generation models other than noting that they've got really good, so I can't speak for how notable this new …
simonwillison.net
January 22, 2026 at 7:14 PM
This is straight up terrifying:
Because the quality even on the smaller models is amazing and the web demo-version is about 1/4 real-time, it would probably be reasonable to make it realtime probably even on an iPhone 17 given the built-in TPU.
There is SO much malice this offers up...
Because the quality even on the smaller models is amazing and the web demo-version is about 1/4 real-time, it would probably be reasonable to make it realtime probably even on an iPhone 17 given the built-in TPU.
There is SO much malice this offers up...