Seeing Theory

Seeing Theory, an archived site that turns math into moving pictures, is getting a second life as the internet re-discovers its visual crash course in probability and statistics. Built by Brown undergrad Daniel Kunin with interactive D3.js graphics, it strolls through six friendly chapters—from Basic Probability and Distributions to Bayesian vs Frequentist ideas and Regression—making tough topics look like clickable art.

The crowd’s mood? Surprisingly chill. The top reaction simply says “Beautiful,” and honestly, that’s the vibe: relief that math can look gorgeous and finally make sense. Nostalgia spiked as fans passed the link to friends, teachers, and anyone still haunted by high‑school worksheets. Jokes and memes flew—“stats, but make it cute,” “graphs that slap”—as people flexed their newfound confidence.

But because this is the internet, drama lurks: the Bayesian vs Frequentist chapters reignited the eternal rivalry (cats vs dogs), and a few skeptics asked whether pretty pictures oversimplify. Defenders shot back that clear visuals beat dense textbooks. With a textbook draft open for feedback, the community’s verdict lands simply: beautiful—and useful. Archived status added a museum‑like vibe, with shout‑outs to the team and even a donate button for good karma. Teachers took notes. Share‑worthy, at last.