Colloquium

I
will discuss some basic notions in the theory of phonology (sound systems
in language). The sounds of a language are generally assumed to be
composed of smaller constituents, called features. The features that
make up a sound cannot be directly obtained from its pronunciation, but
rather must be inferred from the system of contrasts that are at play
in a particular language. How to determine which features are contrastive
presents a logical and empirical puzzle that may be interesting

Gravity
in string theory is a generalized version of Einstein's theory with some 
universal features that call for a reformulation

A revolution is underway in the construction of ‘artificial atoms’ out
of superconducting electrical circuits. 
These macroscopic ‘atoms’ have quantized energy levels and can emit and
absorb quanta of light (in this case microwave photons), just like ordinary
atoms.  Unlike ‘real’ atoms, the
properties of these artificial atoms can be engineered to suit various
particular applications, and they can be connected together by wires to form
quantum ‘computer chips.’  This so-called

The solutions to
the cosmological constant problems may involve modifying the very long-range
dynamics of gravity by adding new degrees of freedom.  As an example of a conservative and minimal
such modification, we consider the possibility that the graviton has a very
small mass.  Massive gravity has received
renewed interest due to recent advances which have resolved its traditional
problems.  This kind of modification has
some peculiar and unexpected features, and it points us towards a universe
which looks quite unfamiliar.