Life Outside of Math
Beyond my study and research in mathematics and statistics, my daily life is filled with a variety of hobbies. I enjoy breaking a sweat on the tennis court and engaging in strategic play within CS2. My life is also seasoned with those "weird" memes that only people in the math department truly understand.
Tennis 🎾
The Maestro
2024 Olympic Gold
My favorite athlete is Novak Djokovic, whose mental resilience and tactical precision on the court I find deeply inspiring. Much like the mathematical problems I tackle, his game is a masterclass in efficiency and endurance—always finding the optimal solution under extreme pressure. Watching him compete motivates me to bring that same level of focus and "clutch" performance to my own research and matches.
Recently, several of his performances have left an indelible mark on me, particularly his 2024 Olympic victory over Carlos Alcaraz and his recent triumph at the 2026 Australian Open against Jannik Sinner. Witnessing him, at 38 years old, still scaling new heights and holding his ground against the "new twin stars" of the circuit is nothing short of legendary.
His ability to adapt and evolve in the face of a younger, fiercer generation resonates with me deeply. It is a testament to the fact that the pursuit of excellence—much like the pursuit of mathematical truth—is not a sprint, but a lifelong ascent. Seeing him compete with such unwavering spirit at an age where most have long since stepped away is a constant source of motivation for my own academic journey.
"Scaling new heights at 38 against the 'new twin stars' is nothing short of legendary."
Gaming 🎮
Map: de_nuke
Strategic verticality & psychological warfare
Yes, recently, the game that has truly captivated me is CS2. Beyond the quick reflexes, what I find most compelling is the deep layer of game theory and strategic coordination required at higher levels of play.
Tired of the formulaic routines of Dust II—the repetitive battles for Long A, Short A, Mid, or the inevitable Rush B—my absolute favorite map is Nuke. I am fascinated by its complex and ingenious vertical structure; every corner, ladder, and door has its own unique tactical purpose.
Elements like fake footsteps, lightning-fast rotations, and deep psychological warfare permeate every round. To me, playing Nuke feels less like a typical shooter and more like a high-stakes game of chess. That feeling of outmaneuvering an opponent through pure strategy is truly wonderful.
Ropz
The Cerebral Lurker
When it comes to active players, my two absolute favorites are Ropz and ZywOo.
Ropz, arguably the world's premier lurker, captivates me with his legendary "dark" positioning. He has an uncanny ability to materialize in the exact spots opponents never think to check. This distinct, cerebral approach—winning through sheer intelligence rather than just raw aim—resonates deeply with my own appreciation for the game's tactical depth. I’ve even spent considerable time trying to mirror his playstyle in my own matches, attempting to outwit and "toy with" the opposition using the same calculated precision. To me, CS2 is at its best when it's a battle of wits.
ZywOo
The "Unprefixed" GOAT
Then there is ZywOo, the "unprefixed" GOAT. What fascinates me most is his preternatural game sense—a level of intuition so profound it often feels as though he has built-in "wall hacks". He doesn't just react to the game; he anticipates its flow with a clarity that defies logic. This is truly due to his unparalleled calculation and predictive abilities.
Whether his team is dominant or facing a devastating deficit, ZywOo possesses the unique ability to turn the tide single-handedly. In every high-pressure situation, he unfailingly finds the optimal solution, executing the perfect play with a calmness that mirrors the most elegant mathematical proofs. To watch ZywOo is to watch a genius at work, simplifying the complex into something seemingly effortless.
The Parallel of GOATs
I often find a striking parallel between Novak Djokovic and ZywOo. Beyond being the undisputed GOATs of their respective domains, their career trajectories share a profound commonality: they both emerged as "latecomers" who eventually surpassed established titans. Novak had to break the duopoly of Federer and Nadal, while ZywOo ascended in an era dominated by s1mple. Their journeys represent the triumph of relentless evolution over existing legends.
Both figures often find themselves playing what feels like a "global away game." Novak, partly due to his Serbian identity and his role as the disruptor of the status quo, has frequently faced hostile crowds throughout his career. Similarly, ZywOo’s humility and understated personality mean he lacks the vocal, aggressive fanbase seen with more "flashy" stars. Yet, they both carry this "quiet greatness" with a dignity that speaks louder than any hype.
What fascinates me most as a mathematics student is their shared instinct for the optimal solution. For Novak and ZywOo, identifying the winning path isn't a labored calculation—it is a preternatural reflex. Their unparalleled talent allows them to simplify the most chaotic moments into a series of logical, successful moves.
Finally, they both possess an incredible capacity for explosive brilliance in desperate situations. Whether it is Novak saving match points in the legendary 2019 Wimbledon final, or ZywOo’s miraculous "clutch" performances during 2025 IEM Melbourne, they thrive when the pressure is highest. They prove that in the face of impossible odds, a disciplined mind and a champion's spirit can always find a way to prevail.
Memes
Mathematicians have a unique talent for abstracting concrete objects into generalized classes and exploring the intricate mappings between them. Naturally, this habit extends to our humor; we take a simple joke, apply layers of abstraction, and watch it evolve into something wonderfully weird.
In the School of Mathematical Sciences, creating a meme only requires repeating it over and over, so our memes often reach a level of surrealism that defies explanation to outsiders.
No.1 The Proboscis Monkey
To be honest, the Proboscis Monkey went viral for the simplest of reasons: its sheer ugliness and that undeniably massive nose. That’s it!
While it might not hold much inherent meaning, its impact was explosive from the moment it was released. It triggered a viral wave across the math department, eventually evolving into a distinctive symbol of our local academic culture.
What makes it truly special is its "remixability". The monkey has an incredible capacity for secondary creation, merging effortlessly with just about any other meme to create something entirely new and absurd.
No.2 Erkel
The origin of "Erkel" is as spontaneous as it is hilarious. It all started when an upperclassman, W.C., was wearing a UC Berkeley sweatshirt.
By pure chance, his outer shirt happened to obstruct the letters "B" and "ey," leaving only "erkel" and "RSITY OF CALIFORN" visible to everyone around him.
Through repeated "chanting" and constant usage, the word was found to be incredibly catchy and spread like wildfire within the math department. Eventually, "Erkel" became so iconic that it transitioned from a simple visual coincidence into a widespread nickname for the senior himself.
As mentioned earlier, the erkel meme can also be combined with the proboscis monkey meme. Soon, our senior was also associated with proboscis monkeys, and we called him "Erkel Wang".
No.3 Qing Liu (刘青)
This third meme perfectly captures our department's innate desire to abstract a specific, real-world instance into a formalized mathematical concept.
The origin story revolves around Qing Liu, a manager at the Tongqinglou (同庆楼) restaurant. He once added a senior student, Guangjun Jiang, on WeChat and frequently bombarded her with promotional ads. However, one day, when she actually tried to send him a message, she was met with the harsh reality of a red exclamation mark—she had been unceremoniously deleted.
From this somewhat awkward social interaction, we extracted a universal property. "Qing Liu" is now used as a noun to represent someone who was once an acquaintance but, through the relentless passage of time, has reverted to being a complete stranger.