After 5 Years of Fun Fun Function, Coding Legend MPJ Moves On to His Next Big Journey

In the world of programming tutorials on YouTube, few names inspire as much affection and respect as Mattias Petter Johansson, better known as MPJ. For the past five years, MPJ has been the face and the heart of Fun Fun Function, a coding series that has educated, entertained, and inspired hundreds of thousands of developers around the world.

So when MPJ announced in his latest video that he would be ending Fun Fun Function, it sent shockwaves through the programming community. For many of us who have followed MPJ‘s journey and learned so much from him along the way, the news is bittersweet. While it‘s sad to see Fun Fun Function come to a close, MPJ‘s reasons for moving on are deeply inspiring, and his impact on the developer world will be long-lasting.

The Rise of a Coding Legend

To truly appreciate the impact of Fun Fun Function and MPJ‘s decision to move on, it‘s worth looking back at his unique path into the world of programming.

MPJ‘s journey began not in a computer science lecture hall, but in the theater. As a young man in Sweden, he studied to be an actor. However, he quickly found himself drawn to the world of technology. With no formal training in computer science, MPJ taught himself to code and landed his first development job at the age of 24.

Over the next several years, MPJ honed his skills as a developer, working his way up to prominent positions at companies like Spotify. Along the way, he gained a reputation not just for his technical prowess, but for his ability to explain complex coding concepts in simple, relatable terms.

This talent for teaching first gained MPJ a following on Quora, where his coding answers regularly went viral. Here‘s just one example of the kind of clear, concise explanation MPJ became known for:

"Imagine you‘re a kid and your mom asks you to get a can of tomato sauce from the grocery store. If she sends you without any money, that‘s a GET request. If she gives you money to pay for the sauce, that‘s a POST request." – MPJ explaining HTTP methods on Quora

With thousands of developers around the world learning from his Quora posts, MPJ saw an opportunity to make an even bigger impact. In 2015, he launched his YouTube channel, Fun Fun Function, with a simple but ambitious goal: to make learning to code as fun and accessible as possible.

The Fun Fun Function Era

From the very first video, it was clear that Fun Fun Function would be unlike any other coding tutorial series on YouTube.

The channel‘s name alone set it apart. While most coding tutorials had titles like "Learn Python in 24 Hours" or "The Ultimate Guide to React", MPJ chose a name that emphasized joy and humor. It was a reflection of his belief that coding could and should be fun.

This playful approach was evident from the opening seconds of each Fun Fun Function episode. Viewers were greeted not with a dry introduction, but with MPJ‘s signature catchphrase, delivered with a goofy grin: "Becoming a better developer, one function at a time!"

But make no mistake – behind the jokes and the silly accents was a deeply knowledgeable and passionate teacher. Over the course of more than 200 episodes, MPJ dove into virtually every corner of the programming world, from fundamental concepts like variables and data types, to advanced topics like functional programming and machine learning.

What set MPJ‘s teachings apart was his ability to break down complex ideas into simple, intuitive explanations. He didn‘t just show you how to write code, but helped you understand the underlying concepts and philosophies behind it.

Take, for example, his series on functional programming in JavaScript. In just a handful of 10-20 minute episodes, MPJ was able to demystify concepts like pure functions, immutability, and higher-order functions – topics that can often seem daunting to even experienced developers.

Here‘s a small snippet of the kind of clear, practical example MPJ would use:

// A pure function
function add(x, y) {
  return x + y;
}

// An impure function
let z = 1;
function add(x, y) {
  return x + y + z;
}

As MPJ explained, the first add function is pure because its output is solely determined by its inputs. The second is impure because it depends on and modifies an external variable z. By demonstrating these concepts with real, readable code, MPJ made the abstract principles of functional programming feel concrete and attainable.

It wasn‘t just the clarity of MPJ‘s explanations that made his videos so compelling, but the contagious enthusiasm he brought to every topic. Whether he was geeking out over a clever bit of syntax or ranting about a frustrating language quirk, MPJ‘s love for coding was always palpable.

This enthusiasm extended to MPJ‘s interactions with his viewers. He regularly responded to comments, incorporated viewer suggestions into future episodes, and even featured fan art in his videos. For many budding developers, Fun Fun Function felt less like a tutorial series and more like a conversation with a knowledgeable and supportive friend.

Over time, this community around Fun Fun Function grew into one of the most active and engaged on YouTube. At its peak, the channel had over 350,000 subscribers, with individual videos regularly reaching hundreds of thousands of views.

But Fun Fun Function‘s impact extended far beyond view counts. For many developers, the series was a turning point in their coding journey. It was the resource that finally made intimidating concepts click, or the inspiration to tackle a new language or framework.

You don‘t have to look far to find stories of developers whose careers and lives were changed by Fun Fun Function. Here are just a few examples from the outpouring of gratitude in the comments of MPJ‘s final video:

"I‘ve been watching your videos for years now, and they‘ve been instrumental in my growth as a developer. Your passion and enthusiasm for the craft is contagious. Thank you for everything you‘ve taught me." – Kelly M.

"MPJ, I don‘t think I‘d be the developer I am today without Fun Fun Function. Your series on functional programming in JavaScript was the first time those concepts really made sense to me. It‘s no exaggeration to say your channel changed the trajectory of my career." – Amir S.

"Watching your videos was the highlight of my week. Not only did I learn so much, but your humor and positivity always brightened my day. You made learning to code feel joyful and exciting. Thank you for being such an incredible teacher." – Emily T.

For me personally, as a full-stack developer, Fun Fun Function was a constant source of knowledge and inspiration. Whether I was struggling to grasp a new concept or just in need of a coding pick-me-up, I knew I could always turn to MPJ‘s videos for clarity and motivation.

I‘ve lost count of the number of times I‘ve referred back to Fun Fun Function episodes in my own work. Just the other day, I was wrestling with a tricky bit of asynchronous JavaScript code. As I was sifting through Stack Overflow posts and documentation, I suddenly remembered an episode where MPJ broke down Promises and async/await with his trademark clarity. A quick rewatch, and I was able to solve my problem in minutes.

This is the real magic of what MPJ created with Fun Fun Function. More than just a collection of coding tutorials, it was a resource that developers at all levels could return to again and again for knowledge, inspiration, and a reminder of the joy and excitement of coding.

The Next Chapter

So why, after five years and hundreds of episodes, has MPJ decided to end Fun Fun Function?

In his final video, MPJ was candid about his reasons for stepping away. He explained that when he started the series, his goal was to share all the knowledge and insights he had gained over his years working as a developer. But now, five years later, he feels he has largely exhausted that well of experience.

MPJ also acknowledged that his relationship with coding has evolved over the years. While he still loves many aspects of programming, he has lost some of the deep, almost obsessive passion he once felt for the craft.

Rather than continue to force himself to make videos about topics he no longer feels as connected to, MPJ has decided to bring Fun Fun Function to an end. It‘s a decision that reflects one of the key themes that has always run through his teachings: the importance of being honest with yourself about your passions and goals, and having the courage to pivot when necessary.

But while Fun Fun Function may be ending, MPJ‘s impact on the programming world is far from over. In fact, he is already hard at work on his next chapter – one that he believes could be his most meaningful yet.

In his final video, MPJ revealed that his new focus will be on the critical issue of mental health, particularly within the tech industry. This is a topic that is deeply personal for MPJ. When he was just 19, his mother died by suicide after a long battle with depression and addiction. More recently, MPJ has been on his own mental health journey, going to therapy to work through long-standing struggles.

These experiences have opened MPJ‘s eyes to the scale and severity of the mental health crisis, both within the tech industry and globally. He shared the sobering statistic that every 40 seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide.

For MPJ, these are not just abstract numbers, but a deeply personal call to action. He believes that the tech industry, with its high-pressure environments and "always on" culture, is particularly prone to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and burnout.

Indeed, the data backs up MPJ‘s concerns. A 2019 study by the software company Blind found that 38% of tech workers reported experiencing depression, while a staggering 76% said they experienced burnout. Another study by the mental health provider Spill found that 52% of tech workers had experienced anxiety or depression at work.

These issues have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many developers into isolated remote work environments and heightened job insecurity.

For MPJ, addressing this mental health crisis is not just a personal passion, but a responsibility. With his platform and influence within the tech community, he believes he has a unique opportunity to destigmatize mental health struggles and advocate for better support and resources for developers.

While MPJ hasn‘t yet announced the specifics of what his mental health-focused work will look like, it‘s clear that he is bringing the same commitment, creativity, and compassion that defined Fun Fun Function.

One can imagine MPJ using his gift for clear, engaging explanations to break down complex mental health concepts, just as he did with coding topics. Or leveraging his knack for building community to create support networks for developers struggling with their mental health.

Whatever form MPJ‘s next chapter takes, one thing is certain: the tech community will be better for it. By shining a light on an issue that has long been in the shadows and using his platform to advocate for change, MPJ has the potential to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of developers around the world.

A Legacy of Impact

As the final credits roll on Fun Fun Function, it‘s hard not to feel a sense of sadness. For so many of us in the programming community, MPJ‘s videos were not just a source of knowledge, but a source of joy, inspiration, and connection.

It‘s a testament to the impact of the series that the announcement of its ending was met not just with sadness, but with an outpouring of gratitude. Developers from around the world shared stories of how MPJ and Fun Fun Function had changed their lives, whether by helping them land their dream job, inspiring them to tackle a new project, or simply making them fall in love with coding all over again.

In many ways, the legacy of Fun Fun Function can be summed up in the words MPJ used to end each episode: "Until next time, stay curious." More than just a sign-off, this was the essence of MPJ‘s philosophy as a teacher and a developer.

Through Fun Fun Function, MPJ showed us that coding is not just about memorizing syntax or solving problems, but about the joy of continuous learning and growth. He taught us to approach each new challenge with a sense of playfulness and excitement, and to never stop asking questions.

As MPJ moves on to his next chapter, these are the lessons that will stick with us. The specific technologies and languages may change, but the passion, curiosity, and dedication that MPJ embodied are timeless.

So while we may not have new Fun Fun Function episodes to look forward to, we can carry forward the spirit of the series in our own coding journeys. We can strive to be lifelong learners, to approach coding with joy and humor, and to use our skills to make a positive impact on the world.

And as MPJ turns his focus to the vital issue of mental health in the tech industry, we can support and amplify his efforts. We can start by having honest conversations about our own mental health struggles, and by working to create a culture of openness and support within our teams and communities.

We can also take inspiration from MPJ‘s courage in pivoting his career towards a cause he believes in deeply. As developers, we have the skills and the platform to make a real difference in the world. Whether it‘s through building tools that solve societal problems, contributing to open source projects, or advocating for positive change in our industry, we all have the power to leave a legacy of impact.

So while we may be saying goodbye to Fun Fun Function, we are not saying goodbye to the spirit of curiosity, compassion, and continuous growth that MPJ embodied. That spirit lives on in each of us, and in the countless developers around the world who were inspired by MPJ‘s teachings.

As we move forward in our own coding journeys, let us do so with the same joy, passion, and dedication that MPJ brought to each and every Fun Fun Function episode. Let us stay curious, stay compassionate, and never stop growing.

Thank you, MPJ, for five incredible years of Fun Fun Function. Your impact on the programming world, and on each of us individually, will be felt for years to come.

And to everyone in the programming community, let‘s carry forward MPJ‘s legacy. Let‘s support each other, let‘s strive to be continuous learners, and let‘s use our skills to make a positive difference in the world.

Until next time, stay curious.