About:

My name is Nicholas “Saij”  Horton, and I’m a graduate student in mathematics at Portland State University. My areas of study are Quantum Game theory and Mathematical Modeling in the Behavioral Sciences including Biological Evolution, Economics, and Political Science.

Outside of Math, my science interests are in Theoretic Biology, Exercise Science, Systems Science, Bayesian Statistics, and anything at all to do with Dinosaurs. I know nothing about Engineering or Physics, despite what people assume about us math folks, and I couldn’t fix a toilet if my life depended on it.

When I’m not mathing (the active verb meaning “doing mathematics”, pronounced   , like “bathing”), I work as a weightlifting and sports performance coach.  I compete as an Olympic Weightlifter, just did my first Highland Games contest, and am working at getting into Track and Field.

My first major in college was in Music, and while at that time I studied classical guitar, I have since switched to soul and R&B.

I am a big believer in “pop” science writing. I’m a relatively well educated guy, but the shear number and complexity of fields increases every day. I can’t keep up with my curiosity. I NEED others to help explain to me what is interesting about their topic in a way that I can actually digest (see my blogroll for great writers I read all the time like Edward Carson and John Hawks). Blogs have become a wonderful medium for exactly that, but with a relaxed and informal vibe that I dig.

But, in the end of course, this IS a blog, so don’t be surprised by totally random posts about the Incredible Hulk or Star Trek!

I also blog at:

The Iron Samurai, which is a blog about Olympic Weightlifting, sports performance, and a bit of Sumo.

Here’s me at the Portland Highland Games: