Workshop

"Probabilistic Reasoning in Quantitative Geometry" refers to the use of probabilistic techniques to prove geometric theorems that do not have any a priori probabilistic content. A classical instance of this approach is the probabilistic method to prove existence of geometric objects (examples include Dvoretzky's theorem, the Johnson-Lindenstrauss lemma, and the use of expanders and random graphs for geometric constructions). Other examples are the use of probabilistic geometric invariants in the local theory of Banach spaces (sums of independent random variables in the context of type and cotype, and martingale-based invariants), the more recent use of such invariants in metric geometry (e.g., Markov type in the context of embedding and extension problems), probabilistic tools in group theory, the use of probabilistic methods to prove geometric inequalities (e.g., maximal inequalities, singular integrals, Grothendieck inequalities), the use of probabilistic reasoning to prove metric embedding results such as Bourgain's embedding theorem (where the embedding is deterministic, but its analysis benefits from a probabilistic interpretation), probabilistic interpretations of curvature and their applications, and the use of probabilistic arguments in the context of isoperimetric problems (e.g., Gaussian, rearrangement, and transportation cost methods).   Accommodation: A block of rooms has been reserved at the Rose Garden Inn. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-992-9005 OR directly on their website. Click on Corporate at the bottom of the screen and when prompted enter code MATH (this code is not case sensitive). By using this code a new calendar will appear and will show MSRI rate on all room types available. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hotel Durant. Please mention MSRI and the workshop name when making reservations via phone, fax or e-mail. If you are making your reservations on line, please go to Hotel Durant website, choose your dates of stay and enter the "123MSRI" promo code in the box. The cut-off date for reservations is Midnight on the day of Friday, August 19, 2011. The rate is $110 per night plus tax. New, completely renovated Hotel Shattuck Plaza has rooms available for you! MSRI’s preferred rate is $135. Guests can either call the hotel’s main line, 510-845-7300, and ask for the MSRI rate or go to http://www.hotelshattuckplaza.com, click on "Corporate Rates" in the reservation screen and type the code “msri11”.