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Poetry & Literature
Gaurav Suri - A Certain Ambiguity: A Mathematical
September 27, 2007
While taking a class on infinity at Stanford in the late 1980s, Ravi Kapoor discovers that he is confronting the same mathematical and philosophical dilemmas that his mathematician grandfather had faced many decades earlier--and that had landed him in jail. Charged under an obscure blasphemy law in a small New Jersey town in 1919, Vijay Sahni is challenged by a skeptical judge to defend his belief that the certainty of mathematics can be extended to all human knowledge--including religion. Together, the two men discover the power--and the fallibility--of what has long been considered the pinnacle of human certainty, Euclidean geometry. As grandfather and grandson struggle with the question of whether there can ever be absolute certainty in mathematics or life, they are forced to reconsider their fundamental beliefs and choices. Their stories hinge on their explorations of parallel developments in the study of geometry and infinity--and the mathematics throughout is as rigorous and fascinating as the narrative and characters are compelling and complex. Moving and enlightening, A Certain Ambiguity is a story about what it means to face the extent--and the limits--of human knowledge.
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Ticket Info
Tickets: Free
Info Phone: 650-324-4321
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Dates & Times
Dates:
September 27, 2007Times:
7:30pm -
Venue Info
1010 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025
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Locations
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Parking Info
Free underground and nearby street parking.
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Accessibility Info
- Wheelchair Access
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NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.
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Member Reviews
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"Write Up of Wolff's Talk at Kepler's"
Comment posted by: David R. from Oakland, California, May 05, 2008
There is an interesting write up of Wolff's talk on www.TheBayAreaIntellect.com.
There is an interesting write up of Wolff's talk on www.TheBayAreaIntellect.com.
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"The Dream Weaver Does It"
Comment posted by: Marin Reader from Marin, Feb 14, 2008
I read the original edition of this book gifted to me by a friend as what they called A Fun Way to Experience Philosophy. They were right. I liked it so much that I bought Bowens second book which... Expand
I read the original edition of this book gifted to me by a friend as what they called A Fun Way to Experience Philosophy. They were right. I liked it so much that I bought Bowens second book which is a more academic look at philosophy. I am very curious to see what he is like in person at this event. Collapse
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"The Real Thing"
Comment posted by: Robert H. Ellis (jr.) PhD from Cassadaga, NY, USA., Dec 16, 2007
Folks, this book, Down to The Sea, is the real thing. I am one of the 13 children born to wives of the USS Hull sailors after the Hull capsized and sank. I was never told much about the incident and... Expand
Folks, this book, Down to The Sea, is the real thing. I am one of the 13 children born to wives of the USS Hull sailors after the Hull capsized and sank. I was never told much about the incident and so have tried mightely to explore as much as I could including attending a reunion of the survivors. Finally, here is a book that captures what the survivors told me plus an excellent overview of the whole incident. I finally feel as if I truly know what happened to my Dad! Thank you Mr. Henderson. This author is an excellent writer (my daughter is an author so I have a little experience with quality.) I wish I could attend this event but I live in Western New York and get seriously snowed in. I am familiar with the author only through his writing this one book, but it was enough for me to say that regardless of his speaking style, you will not leave this presentation unimpressed! Collapse
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"Great!"
Review posted by: Thinksalot from Marin, Sep 21, 2007
Book is great. Author is better in person. Serious and classic.
Book is great. Author is better in person. Serious and classic.
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"Very powerful"
Review posted by: Joe Holt from San Jose, CA, Oct 03, 2006
Rarely do I read a book that makes me sooo happy to be an American. Not proud, but happy. Emily Wu’s narrative of her childhood memories in China initially made me wince, yet at the same time grateful... Expand
Rarely do I read a book that makes me sooo happy to be an American. Not proud, but happy. Emily Wu’s narrative of her childhood memories in China initially made me wince, yet at the same time grateful such experiences were inconceivable here. The injustices, the brutalities, the fear of Mao’s doctrines upon the people of China have never been displayed with such force as with Larry Engelmann’s fidelity to Emily’s spoken words. Without embellishment Engelmann trusted her words to prove emotions fiction can only pretend to create. Though this is not an “easy” book to read, I recommend it highly to anyone who thinks they understand the trials the Chinese had to endure through the seventies, much less a little girl. Collapse
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"See Saw"
Review posted by: Anonymous from WA, Apr 10, 2006
I saw him speak in Seattle. Amazingly insightful (and a funny guy too in a weird way). Half way through the book and I LOVE it. Yes, great song too.
I saw him speak in Seattle. Amazingly insightful (and a funny guy too in a weird way). Half way through the book and I LOVE it. Yes, great song too.
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"Music, Book, Video"
Review posted by: Philo Reader from San Jose--USA, Mar 04, 2006
He spoke at our school. Great talk. Music video. Rockin 'n' cool.
He spoke at our school. Great talk. Music video. Rockin 'n' cool.
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"Wow!"
Review posted by: Smith from Bay Area, Feb 17, 2006
I had no idea what to expect. This book is amazing--part novel, part philosophy. I felt overwhelmed at times with everything this character Ian was dealing with. Though it kind of makes me... Expand
I had no idea what to expect. This book is amazing--part novel, part philosophy. I felt overwhelmed at times with everything this character Ian was dealing with. Though it kind of makes me wonder how this author pulled it off. I can't wait to read his next book, but can read this one again until then. Collapse
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