The program started off with some modern music written by Stephen Taylor and performed by Wendy Mehne (flute) and Pablo Cohen (guitar). Taylor said that the piece was inspired by a visit to Fermi Lab in Chicago, discovering that it was necessary to build a “very, very big structure” in order to detect “very, very small particles.” Although the music was a bit discordant and hard to connect with, it was definitely interesting to see how Taylor was able to manipulate the two instrumentalists’ music with his laptop and host of electronic equipment!

Lisa Randall, a Harvard professor of physics, gave a fascinating PowerPoint lecture on the future of quantum physics. She explained the concept of extra dimensions in the universe through an analogy that made it simple to visualize. Her work seeks to reconcile quantum physics, string theory, and Einstein’s general relativity (while answering the basic question of why gravity is so weak compared to other physical forces) …. I could try to give a synopsis of her lecture, but I think I’d probably leave you more confused than when I started. So instead I’ll refer you to an excellent article written about her work in the New York Times: “On Gravity, Oreos, and a Theory of Everything” (11/1/05).

On another note, I talked to some volunteers who were at the “How We Move” workshop this morning at the Women’s Community Building, and they said it was excellent — more than 100 people showed up, and all of the members of Pilobolus dance company showed up to join the workshop and give advice. The workshop culminated with all of the participants in two circles, then leaning back to sit on the lap of the person behind them, everyone supporting one another’s weight … which was actually one of the moves that Pilobolus used in their performance last night!