Two high-powered mathematicians take on free will
by Kitta MacPherson
Ten years ago, Princeton mathematician John Conway wowed standing-room-only crowds with a series of public math lectures. Among many things, he spoke about ancient Greek geometers and his modern discovery of surreal numbers. He threw in some math tricks, too. Audiences flocked to hear the joys of math recounted by one of its masters and left enthralled by Conway’s intellectual wizardry.
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Tuning in to musical performance to sound out ideas
by Karin Dienst
As a child growing up in Miami, Alexandra Vazquez tuned in to radio stations that flooded her with a versatile range of music. Early on, she discovered that music, and each unique performance, could lead her to a new world of experiences and ideas. Since then, Vazquez has shaped her fascination for musical performance into an intellectual pursuit that dovetails with her other main academic interests, particularly Latina/o studies.
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Financial security, more than money alone, may be key to happiness, Princeton study finds
by Kitta MacPherson
A study of the mental state of the modern American woman by a Princeton psychologist has found a powerful link between concerns over financial security and satisfaction with one’s life. In looking toward the future, women who concentrated much of their thinking on financial matters were much less likely to be happy with their lives, according to Talya Miron-Shatz, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.
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Obama chooses Rouse and Krueger for economic team
President Barack Obama has selected Princeton professors Cecilia Rouse and Alan Krueger for his economic team. Rouse is serving on Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers, while Krueger has been nominated as assistant U.S. treasury secretary for economic policy.
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Petraeus selected as Baccalaureate speaker
U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, a Princeton alumnus and commander of the U.S. Central Command, has been selected as the speaker for this year’s Baccalaureate ceremony, the interfaith worship service that is one of Princeton’s oldest traditions. The service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31, in the University Chapel.
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Princeton scholars pursue Internet transparency
by Chris Emery
Princeton computer science and technology policy experts are playing key roles in a new project intent on illuminating the mysterious inner workings of Internet traffic. The initiative, called Measurement Lab, will consist of a global network of computers that will allow computer scientists to investigate how data moves across the Internet, and aims to bring transparency to the debates over who should regulate that traffic.
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Students present senior thesis dance performance
“Pleiades,” a senior thesis concert featuring choreography and performance by certificate students in the Program in Theater and Dance in the Lewis Center for the Arts, will be held at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, in the Berlind Theatre.The seven seniors — Stephanie Chen, Chelsea Kolff, Amy LaViers, Sarah Outhwaite, Julie Rubinger, Jennie Scholick and Elizabeth Schwall — have elected to do a creative thesis in dance in addition to projects in the departments in which they are majoring.
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Managing editor: Eric Quiñones
Assistant editor: Jennifer Greenstein Altmann
Lead designer: Maggie Westergaard
Designer: Shani Hilton
Calendar editor: Shani Hilton
Contributing writers:
Karin Dienst, Chris Emery, Kitta MacPherson, Ruth Stevens
Photographers: Denise Applewhite, Brian Wilson
Web edition: Mahlon Lovett
Subscription manager: Elizabeth Patten
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