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Francis Su

@mathyawp.bsky.social
1.6K followers 202 following 75 posts

I post mainly about math, and what it means to be human. Professor, writer, truth & grace seeker. Former MAA president. Opinions my own. Book: Mathematics for Human Flourishing (2020) amzn.to/3CLGCA5

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Reposted by Francis Su
Spencer Bagley @sbagley.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
SU: It's a set of character qualities, habits of mind, dispositions that enable you to live in the world with joy and wonder and awe and responsibility. If we lose sight of that, then of course people are going to have this idea that math is just calculation, and I don't want people to think of math that way, right? Math is more than that. Math is understanding. That's the whole reason anybody's ever been involved in the mathematical pursuits, to try to deeply understand things, and we can't cede that to AI.
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Thanks. I don't feel strongly enough here to say much: he does reflect on what wasn't great about his practice, and urges thoughtful review. I wouldn't have relied on AI like that, but we're all just figuring it out. I share C's critique that the connection to MAA Values should be clearer
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
I was interviewed by the NPR show On Point, with things I said dropped in a couple of places into an illuminating conversation between Steven Strogatz and Meghna Chakrabarti about AI and math: www.wbur.org/onpoint/2026...
wbur.org
AI is steamrolling through math. Why does that matter?
AI is solving some of the toughest math problems in the world, including ones that have stumped mathematicians for decades. What it means for human ingenuity when there are no more hard problems left ...
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Hahaha I didn’t know about Keith. But it’s a good sign if good looking guys are being mistaken for me
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Reposted by Francis Su
Dave Kung @dtkung.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
In celebration of Francis Su's birthday, we're starting a gallery of people who have been mistaken for Francis. It's a group I accidentally joined a decade ago. Keith Nabb is a more recent addition. Anyone else been added to #NotFrancisSu? #WrongAsian @mathyawp.bsky.social
A headshot of Keith NabbA headshot of Dave Kung
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
thanks, Tim!
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
My piece "The Two Timelines" is in the most recent issue of the Notre Dame publication Virtues and Vocations. What does Star Trek have to say about our current moment with Large Language Models? socialconcerns.nd.edu/research/vir... @virtuevocations.bsky.social
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Tim Hsu @timhsu.net · 16/09/2026
Now *this* is the opinion I've been waiting to hear about The AI Thing - wise and humane as always
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
When science is turned into an exploitative spectacle: francissu.substack.com/p/love-of-hu...
francissu.substack.com
Love of Humanity Is Not Enough
The OpenAI race on Navier-Stokes exposes the gap between loving humanity and loving your neighbor
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Amie Albrecht @nomadpenguin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A good starting point is @mathyawp.bsky.social’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Thanks, Marissa!
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I was asked to give the Convocation address this year. Here's what I said to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College. francissu.substack.com/p/science-in...
francissu.substack.com
Science, in Service of Love
My exhortation to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
With the start of the semester just a week away, here’s what I decided to say to my upper division math course about how AI will or won’t change what they’re learning… francissu.substack.com/p/the-enduri...
francissu.substack.com
The Enduring Value of Math, in an Age of AI
Thoughts I’ll share at the start of my upper division math course
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A beautiful reflection on what math is about, and how human understanding is formed, even the an age of AI. I plan to assign it as reading in my advanced analysis course this Fall. From my colleague Jon Jacobsen in the Mathematical Intelligencer: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
In Praise of Acoustic Mathematics - The Mathematical Intelligencer
The Mathematical Intelligencer -
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Now that I'm blogging on Substack, I've moved my old posts too, including this blast from the past. I found it helpful for me to re-read as the new school year approaches. "Your accomplishments are not what make you a worthy human being."
francissu.substack.com
The Lesson of Grace in Teaching
from weakness to wholeness, the struggle and the hope
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John Golden @johngolden.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Ted Lasso is back and so is Teaching Like Ted Lasso. Starting the season with the sage Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social @deltadc.bsky.social and I were wowed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUmS...
youtube.com
Defining Joy with Francis Su
YouTube video by Teaching Like Ted Lasso
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I've moved my blog to Substack, and plan to revive my writing. To try out the platform, I posted the Spring 2026 article that I wrote on mathematical joy. open.substack.com/pub/franciss...
open.substack.com
A Meditation on Mathematical Joy
What would a child's book about joy look like? Math might be on every page.
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Awww, Father’s Day card, from N5yo. We do a daily math problem every day
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Didn’t expect to see my book mentioned by David Brooks in this Atlantic essay: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
Something Big Is Happening on Campus
There’s a lot going right at universities, if you’re only willing to see it.
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Great meeting with all the good folks of the MAA Rocky Mountain Section. Travis Kowalski sketched this impressive doodle during my talk
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Virtues & Vocations @virtuevocations.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
What if asking “why” became second nature? In the latest Virtues & Vocations magazine, Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social reflects on the joy of contemplation—and the kind of thinking that deepens our humanity. Read more at bit.ly/4mw7U2U
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Thanks so much. I think that message is even more relevant now in the age of AI.
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
My Flourishing book is on sale at Amazon today, lowest I've ever seen it, so I bought some too, to give away. amzn.to/47qhVZs
amzn.to
Mathematics for Human Flourishing
Amazon.com: Mathematics for Human Flourishing: 9780300258516: Su, Francis, Jackson, Christopher: Books
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Joel was a great host who, because he’d read my work closely, managed to unearth lots of things I’ve never said in an interview before. I think you can tell we both really enjoyed this conversation
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
p.s. Virtues & Vocations is a delightful venue for thoughtful articles on higher education and human flourishing. With beautiful artwork. In print and online. @virtuevocations.bsky.social
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Happy Pi Day! Seems a fitting day to share my piece for Virtues & Vocations magazine, entitled "A Meditation on Mathematical Joy". In it, I riff on this idea: what would a children's book about joy look like? socialconcerns.nd.edu/research/vir...
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Terrific article describing how AI is changing what coders do.
nytimes.com
Coding After Coders: The End of Computer Programming as We Know It
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
This new book Math Decoded by James Tanton belongs in every math teacher’s book collection. It encourages deep thinking around many natural questions that kids ask about numbers. Book launches this week!
Book cover
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Up early Monday morning at #JMM2026? Come to this breakfast at 7:30-9:00am: The AMS Committee on Engagement, Participation, and Advancement on Fostering Representation in Mathematics: Community Strategies, Discussion, and Continental Breakfast. Marquis Salon 2, Marriott Marquis
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mathgrrl @mathgrrl.com · 02/01/2026
Hey #JMM2026 find me wandering around or at the Monday night Knitting Circle if you want to crochet a square based on a cellular automaton for a math/art/community exhibit www.grannylifecrochet.com
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
I’m also speaking at: “Learning About the Beauty of Mathematics, from my Students” Sun 1:00- 1:30 PM, 149A Panel, “Writing for Broad Public Audiences”, Sun 4:00- 5:00 pm, 147B. “Visual Artifacts from a Course entitled ‘Mathematics for Human Flourishing’", Tue 2:30-3:00 PM, 102B. #JMM2026
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Some events I’ll be speaking at #JMM2026: J. Sutherland Frame Lecture: “100 Years of Sperner’s Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications”, Sunday 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Ballroom A. I promise it will be a fun talk. And…
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Joint Mathematics Meetings @jointmath.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, will give the Pi Mu Epsilon (PME) J. Sutherland Frame Lecture at #JMM2026 on “100 Years of Sperner's Lemma: Proofs, Generalizations, and Applications." buff.ly/190QBLP
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
I have not! Thanks for the recommendation
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Hmmm, not ringing a bell, unfortunately
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Reposted by Francis Su
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
We have a matching gift! With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had. Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE. prisonmathproject.org/donate
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
This Giving Tuesday, if you’re looking for an initiative that can really use your support, consider giving to this project that will help LA area math teachers and improve the math preparation of students, through the terrific work of the The UCLA Curtis Center: crowdfunding.ucla.edu/project/47891
crowdfunding.ucla.edu
The Modern Math Teacher Circle Initiative
Help UCLA raise $7,500 for the project: The Modern Math Teacher Circle Initiative. Your gift will make a difference!
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
I enjoyed this thoughtful conversation with English professor Wesley Beal. Asking big questions doesn’t have to be limited to the humanities. open.spotify.com/episode/1KV9...
lyon.edu
Liberal Arts Experience | A Pod-series
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Tell your Italian friends: I'm speaking at two events in Italy a week from now: A public event in Rome Sep 27 related to the Italian edition of my book: www.associazionetokalon.com/matematica-p... Then at the Global Math Summit in Cagliari on Oct 1: www.globalmathsummit.com Excited about both!
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Come work with my fantastic colleagues! We have a job opening for someone in any area of operations research with a broad teaching porfolio. See the ad: math.hmc.edu/tenure-track...
math.hmc.edu
Tenure Track (Operations Research) – Harvey Mudd College Mathematics
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Look what arrived in the mail! Five years ago, I got a call from @profnoahgian.bsky.social to discuss my experiences writing a book for the general public. Since then, he’s written TWO… this one out today, and he was just recognized with JPBM award for mathematics communication. Congrats, Noah!
Book cover
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
RSVP at forms.monday.com/forms/1c3d5d...
forms.monday.com
2025 Arnold Ross Lecture RSVP
<p>The American Mathematical Society cordially invites you to attend a Zoom broadcast of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ams.org/learning-careers/students/ross-...
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Giving this lecture this Friday in San Francisco, also live-streamed on Zoom. The Ross Lectures highlight recent research in a way accessible to high school students. I’ll speak on work combining a lot of different types of math, but also offers some larger lessons about how math often gets done.
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
N4yo is into jokes, and is now improvising his own. He recently learned this one: “Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “Cow.” “Cow who?” “No, cows moo!” Here’s his new joke, which I thought was clever: “Knock, knock.” “Who’s there?” “Toilet.” “Toilet who?” “No, toilet poo!” 🤣
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Surprisingly funny, and touching. You’re welcome. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The Subtle Art of the Dad Text (Gift Article)
When it comes to corny jokes, random photos and sincere pep talks, father knows best.
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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Anyway, you should read Francis Su on this: www.amazon.com/Mathematics-... This book really influenced me to see math as a kind of pump for all sorts of virtues-- patience, thoughtfulness, humility, etc.
amazon.com
Mathematics for Human Flourishing
Amazon.com: Mathematics for Human Flourishing: 9780300237139: Su, Francis, Jackson, Christopher: Books
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
I’m glad you resonate with its message. I’m a big fan of SMBC
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Dr. Courtney Gibbons (she/her/xlookup) @courtneygibbons.phd · 09/05/2025
The new Pope (or a name twin, but I think it's actually him) wrote a book that features Bayes's Theorem. 👀 academic.oup.com/book/50039/c...
academic.oup.com
Evaluative Criteria And Bayes’S Theorem
Abstract. MY analysis to this point has suggested that Bayes’s theorem cannot account, in one way or the other, for the evidence of evil or for the explana
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Francis Su @mathyawp.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
The new pope was an undergraduate mathematics major.
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