The 58th Annual Alpheus W. Smith Lecture, October 20, 2020
Sylvester James Gates, Jr.
Brown Theoretical Physics Center Director, Ford Foundation Professor of Physics,
Affiliate Professor of Mathematics, and Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
Brown University
8:00 pm Webinar
How Thinking Like A Geneticist Helped Me Solve A 25 Year-Old Einstein-Type Problem In String Theory.
Abstract: Imagine the world's smartest physicist made a mistake in a string theory calculation, while being observed by aliens in a passing starship. If the aliens are to communicate a helpful comment, the earth-bound physicist must account for Relativity and Quantum Theories simultaneously. For over two decades, the resolution to this puzzle was unknown. Using ideas from geneticists, to sort through 4,294,967,296 functions, led to a solution in the summer of 2020.
**Free and open to the public
Please preregister to receive the Zoom link for this lecture.
For the Ohio State Physics/Astronomy Community ONLY:
3:30-5pm Seminar on Zoom
My Journey Thinking About Racism & STEM Disciplines
Abstract: The worldwide response of moral revulsion triggered by the broad dissemination of a video showing the extrajudicial execution of Mr. George Floyd (as the crescendo to far too many such occurrences) has compelled even the organizers of the ‘Strings 2020’ conference to engage me in this conversation for their global cyberspace attendees. Thus, I feel a duty to respond.
Please preregister for this session with your OSU name.# email address.