I am somehow running for the board of #EOS. If you think that having me there trying to expose more people to the beauty of optics is a good idea, you might vote for me.
On the other hand there are a lot of excellent candidates on the list, so you should probably vote for one of them 🙂
https://www.europeanoptics.org/pages/about/eos-board-elections-2026-candidates.html
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
mastodon
4.5.8
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter.
Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet).
He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
1d ago
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Apr 13, 2026
RE: https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@nicebyte/116394053764136410
This is a very good example of why a "good explanation" is very audience-dependent.
This explanation would have confused the hell out of student me, but since the first time I encountered spherical harmonics I was the veteran of several Maths and Physics University-level exam, the explanation I was given (spherical harmonics are the eigenfunctions of the angular part of the Laplacian in spherical coordinates) made complete sense. But for its intended audience, this explanation is a million times better than the one that worked for me.
Different audiences, different explanations.
This is a very good example of why a "good explanation" is very audience-dependent.
This explanation would have confused the hell out of student me, but since the first time I encountered spherical harmonics I was the veteran of several Maths and Physics University-level exam, the explanation I was given (spherical harmonics are the eigenfunctions of the angular part of the Laplacian in spherical coordinates) made complete sense. But for its intended audience, this explanation is a million times better than the one that worked for me.
Different audiences, different explanations.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Apr 10, 2026
@kofanchen I have lived in multiple countries (well ok, two) where I didn't speak the language. Some stuff you can still do it in English (especially within the University), some stuff you can do without much talking (e.g. shopping at a supermarket), some stuff you need help from someone who actually speak the language. Not necessarily smooth, but doable.
Then you gradually get the basics of the language and things get better.
@albertcardona
Then you gradually get the basics of the language and things get better.
@albertcardona
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Apr 09, 2026
@albertcardona An extra ingredient that needs to be added to the story is that the system to apply and be accepted by a Uni in the UK is so extremely convoluted and baroque that it is unlikely you will be able to navigate it from outside the country without the help of someone.
(Also, plenty of countries in Europe where Uni is cheap. Not sure why all those students aim to the UK.)
(Also, plenty of countries in Europe where Uni is cheap. Not sure why all those students aim to the UK.)
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Mar 21, 2026
This time the lesson learnt was that contrast/speedpaint works great on highly textured organic areas, and very badly on large flat panels.
#MiniaturePainting #Warhammer40k
#MiniaturePainting #Warhammer40k
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Mar 16, 2026
Never painted feathers before, and it was also my first experiment with a flow improver. But the real lesson learnt from this is to never ever use a black wash over a bright yellow!
#MiniaturePainting #Miniature #DnD
#MiniaturePainting #Miniature #DnD
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Mar 16, 2026
Never painted feathers before, and it was also my first experiment with a flow improver. But the real lesson learnt from this is to never ever use a black wash over a bright yellow!
#MiniaturePainting #Miniature #DnD
#MiniaturePainting #Miniature #DnD
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 21, 2026
@WiseWoman As much as I love having free healthcare, parental leave etc, people in EU countries fall for fascism every other week.
@davidaugust
@davidaugust
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 16, 2026
@khoji That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 16, 2026
@Frantasaur No. He thought that was the realistic way anyone would behave.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 16, 2026
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 16, 2026
@ArrestJK Thank you for the mansplaining 🤦🏻♂️
https://mathstodon.xyz/@j_bertolotti/116064165691519405
https://mathstodon.xyz/@j_bertolotti/116064165691519405
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 13, 2026
Random reminder that, despite what you read in "Lord of the Flies", when a real group of teenagers happened to get stranded on a inhabited island, they didn't start killing each other. On the contrary they worked together, built a commune, and survived in good health for 15 months (when they were saved by a passing ship).
Most people are good people. Even teenagers 😉
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongan_castaways
Most people are good people. Even teenagers 😉
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongan_castaways
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Feb 11, 2026
If ChatGPT can successfully summarise for you that long document you don't have time to read, than you shouldn't have asked people to write it in the first place. Ask them for a short summary, and save them hours of their time.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Dec 19, 2025
@8r3n7 AI is following the usual hype curve. The only difference with 3D tvs, virtual reality etc is that this time they have pushed an insane amount of money and PR into it. It is a bubble, and it will burst (not as soon as many hope, as Google&co can absorb a lot of financial hits as long as their stock value stays high), but after the burst it will not vanish. After the burst the few actually good uses will be the ones still standing.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Dec 19, 2025
Reminder: "This is a bubble" and "This has no practical applications" are two very different statements.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Nov 11, 2025
@mattblaze@federate.social Reminds me of what is called "Ptychography" in microscopy.
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j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
j_bertolotti
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
Associated Professor of Physics at the University of Exeter. Scientific visualizations (grouped under the hastag #PhysicsFactlet). He/lui/on. All opinions are my own fault.
mathstodon.xyz
@j_bertolotti@mathstodon.xyz
·
Oct 28, 2025
ChatGPT costs more money and resources to run than Wikipedia. So if the answers from ChatGPT are not at least as good as the ones you can find just visiting the correct Wikipedia page, the rational move is to give all of OpenAI money to the Wikimedia foundation.
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