koaning.io

This paper had an interesting chart:

Notice how this marathon chart has spikes at precise half-hour marks? These numbers are self reported and they also serve as an interesting reminder not to trust data at face value.

3Blue1Brown Setup Guide

This is an AI generated guide I wrote for myself that I put up on my blog for safekeeps.

This tutorial covers how to replicate Grant Sanderson's interactive math animation environment (as seen at the start of this video) using the ManimGL engine and the uv package manager.

1. Environment Initialization

Grant uses ManimGL (the OpenGL version), which allows for real-time interaction. Use uv to manage the specific legacy dependencies required.

# Create project and pin stable Python version
mkdir math-animations && cd math-animations
uv init
uv python pin 3.12

# Install ManimGL and legacy compatibility tools
uv add manimgl "setuptools<70.0.0"

2. Fixing LaTeX Dependencies

Manim renders math via LaTeX. If you see .sty file errors, you are likely using a minimal LaTeX install (like BasicTeX) and need to add specific packages via your terminal:

sudo tlmgr install calligra relsize standalone preview doublestroke fundus-calligra

3. The Interactive Script

Create start.py. This script uses self.embed() to open the interactive window and an IPython terminal simultaneously.

from manimlib import *

class InteractiveScene(Scene):
    def construct(self):
        plane = ComplexPlane()
        self.add(plane)

        # Input Dot (Yellow)
        dot = Dot(color=YELLOW).shift(RIGHT)
        self.add(dot)

        # Output Dot (Pink) following w = z^2
        out_dot = Dot(color=PINK)
        out_dot.add_updater(lambda m: m.move_to(
            plane.c2p(plane.p2c(dot.get_center())**2)
        ))
        
        # Visual trail
        trace = TracedPath(out_dot.get_center, stroke_color=PINK)
        self.add(out_dot, trace)

        self.embed() 

4. Running the Setup

Execute the following command:

uv run manimgl start.py InteractiveScene

5. Interaction Controls

Once the window opens:

• Mouse: Click and drag the yellow dot to see the pink dot react.
• Terminal: Type dot.set_color(BLUE) in the IPython prompt to see the change live.
• Camera: Right-click and drag to rotate into 3D; use Z + scroll to zoom.

Pirates of the Caribbean supposedly went ride to movie, not the other way around. The Disneyland attraction opened in 1967 and supposedly it was one of the last projects Walt Disney personally worked on before his death. After more than 35 years of the attraction entertaining guests, the story was adapted for the screen (Disney Gallery archive).

What I like about this is the reminder that at if you have multiple assets that they can inspire each-other in both directions. Disney has a bunch of movie-inspired rides, but that doesn't mean there can't be a ride-inspired movie.

I'm sure this effect can go well beyond movies and across other aspects in industry too. Food for thought.