Prime windows Barry Cipra is one of the journalists covering the Heidelberg Laureate Forum. I’ve read his columns, especially in SIAM News, for years. It was great to meet him in person. He and I were talking … 26. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 1 comment
Interview with Cédric Villani Cédric Villani had a small press conference at the Heidelberg Laureate Forum. Most of the reporters present were not mathematicians and did not ask technical questions. They seemed to view Villani as a sort of … 25. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 0 comments
Fields Medal genealogy Cédric Villani, one of the Fields Medal winners attending the Heidelberg Laureate Forum, studied with Pierre-Louis Lions, who was also a Fields Medal winner. Is it common for medalists to have students who go on … 25. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 2 comments
Michael Atiyah on exposition Sir Michael Atiyah is known for is expository writing and speaking as well as his profound contributions to mathematics. The following is an excerpt from my conversation with Atiyah discussing his views on mathematical exposition. … 24. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 1 comment
Saxophone quartets and probability Saxophone quartets consist of four saxophones, usually a baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano, or maybe a second alto instead of a soprano. Because all saxophones are essentially the same instrument, just at different sizes, the … 23. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 2 comments
Who was Nevanlinna and what is his prize? Mathematics and computer science do not have a Nobel Prize. Instead, these areas have their own prizes to honor outstanding achievement. Mathematics has the Fields Medal and the Abel Prize. Computer science has the Turing … 22. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 1 comment
Kiosks in Karlsplatz Even though I’m here in Heidelberg specifically for mathematics and computer science forum, I was still surprised to see kiosks honoring mathematicians and computer scientists in a public square while I was walking around this … 21. Sep 2013 | By John D. Cook | 0 comments