The laughing physicist

Categories for the practising physicist

In this chapter we survey some particular topics in category theory in a somewhat unconventional manner. Our main focus will be on monoidal categories, mainly symmetric ones, for which we propose a physical interpretation. Special attention is given to the category of sets and relations, posetal categories, diagrammatic calculi, strictification, compact categories, biproduct categories and abst...

Laughing at the obese.

While the phenomenon has been studied mainly among medical students, it is well known that physicians, even seasoned ones, often make derogatory remarks about certain patients – not in the patients’ presence (it is to be hoped) but to each other. The targets of such medical locker-room humour are often the patients who, the doctors think, brought their illnesses upon themselves. In a focus grou...

A Call for the Structured Physicist Report.

Introducing categories to the practicing physicist

We argue that category theory should become a part of the daily practice of the physicist, and more specific, the quantum physicist and/or informatician. The reason for this is not that category theory is a better way of doing mathematics, but that monoidal categories constitute the actual algebra of practicing physics. We will not provide rigorous definitions or anything resembling a coherent ...

Condoms no laughing matter.

This multimedia project was as a beer commercial, a lad's night in, an environment that can be used to target the relevant audience. The goal was to deploy a familiar atmosphere and recognisable characters whilst delivering a serious message with humour in a very short space of time.