The Work of Misha Gromov, a Truly Original Thinker

Speaker: Jean-Pierre Bourguignon

Date: Fri, Apr 5, 2013

Location: PIMS, University of British Columbia

Conference: Special Lecture

Subject: Algebraic Geometry, Differential Geometry and Geometric Analysis

Class: Scientific

Abstract:

The work of Misha Gromov has revolutionized geometry in many respects, but at the same time introduced a geometric point of view in many questions. His impact is very broad and one can say without exaggeration that many fields are not the same after the introduction of Gromov's ideas.I will try and explain several avenues that Gromov has been pursuing, stressing the changes in points of view that he brought in non-technical terms.Here is a list of topics that the lecture will touch:

  1. The h-Principle
  2. Distance and Riemannian Geometry
  3. Group Theory and Negative Curvature
  4. Symplectic Geometry
  5. A wealth of Geometric Invariants
  6. Interface with other Sciences
  7. Conceptualizing Concept Creation