Title: The manifold faces of the manifolds of the fourth dimension
Speaker: Xander Povey
Abstract: In the world of four-dimensional manifolds, the intersection form rules supreme over all other topological invariants. In this talk we will justify this outlandish claim and outline how one can algebraically classify these objects. Then, we will discuss the history of problems in four-manifold topology, their obstacles, their solutions and how the subtle difference between smooth and topological manifolds manifests therein.
Some snacks will be provided before and after the talk.