IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Please bookmark this page and stay tuned for additional updates and announcements.
Free Special Event – Truth Values Play! See below for more details.
Add our main email (support@g4gfoundation.org) to your contacts to avoid G4G15 email notifications going to your SPAM folder.
COVID-19 UPDATE:
There are currently no plans to require Covid-19 vaccinations, masking, or testing at G4G15. Please take this into consideration when planning your attendance. If there is any change to this policy, it will be announced on this webpage and via email to all registered attendees. Accommodations will be made for refunds if necessary.
15th Gathering 4 Gardner Conference (2024)
From February 21 – 25, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, G4G participants will assemble, in Martin Gardner’s name, to celebrate recreational mathematics, magic, puzzles, skepticism, science, art, literature, and the intersections of these subjects. Participants will offer presentations, performances, original papers, and exhibits. Countless exchanges of ideas and examples of magic will inspire and delight. Unlike many other conferences, G4G is participatory in nature; all attendees are encouraged to contribute, whether that be a 5-minute presentation, an original paper, a unique exhibit, or a novelty item for the gift exchange.
Quick Links:
- PDF of Conference Program
- Conference Registration
- Featured Presenters – The Amazing Kreskin, Aly Ray Smith, & Sarah Hart
- What, When, Where – Information about the conference
- 4 Days of Presentations – Held in the Ritz-Carlton grand ballroom
- Hands-on Activities – Social event with sculpture-building
- Evening Entertainment – Featuring magic and variety show acts
- Gift Exchange – Participants exchange Gardner-inspired gifts
- Sales & Exhibit Rooms – Sign up to share your passions
- Truth Values Play
- Nominate Attendees
- G4G15 Logo
- Code of Conduct
Conference Registration
Registration for G4G15 is now open!
Past attendees and approved nominees will receive an official invitation via email. If you expected an invitation and didn’t receive one, please check your SPAM folder. Email support@g4gfoundation.org if you need further assistance.
For information about nominating yourself or others for attendance CLICK HERE.
Featured Presenters
The G4G15 Featured Presenters will be:
- The Amazing Kreskin – G4G15 Conference Only
- Alvy Ray Smith – G4G15 Conference & Free Public Lecture
- Sarah Hart – G4G15 Conference & Free Public Lecture
Alvy Ray Smith and Sarah Hart will give two talks: one private talk as part of the regular programing of the conference for G4G attendees exclusively and one free talk open to the general public (no tickets needed). See below for more information.
The Amazing Kreskin
The Amazing Kreskin is a legend and an icon in the field of mental communication. He has had his own television series as well as appearing on hundreds of TV and radio shows. He has written 21 books, consulted on scores of crime cases, and even had a movie made about his life. He is joining us today shortly after his 89th birthday to discuss his amazing career.
G4G Conference Talk
Location: Ritz-Carlton Conference Ballroom
Time: Thursday Afternoon Session
Abstract: G4G exclusive interview by Meir Yedid.
Alvy Ray Smith
Alvy Ray Smith cofounded Pixar and Altamira Software. He was the first Director of Computer Graphics at Lucasfilm and the first Graphics Fellow at Microsoft. He has received two technical Academy Awards for his contributions to digital movie-making technology. Alvy holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (his Dissertation was on Cellular Automata Theory). He is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Photo credit to Richard Kerris (all rights reserved).
G4G Conference Talk
Location: Ritz-Carlton Conference Ballroom
Time: Friday Morning Session
Abstract: What Do the Theory of Computing and the Movies Have in Common?
Born before computers and pixels, Alvy Ray Smith has ridden the Moore’s law supernova wave all the way from the first pixels to the first digital movie, Toy Story, from Pixar, the company he cofounded. But before that, he took a decade-long voyage through computation theory for his Ph.D. work and early academic career.
An encounter with Martin Gardner, a childhood hero of his, resulted in a cover of Scientific American, which brought him an early fame of sorts and a request to design the cover for the annual proceedings of the Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS). His 1973 FOCS cover was used for 41 years! He executed it with pre-digital technology but uses it to explain the central dogma that drives much of modern computer graphics. Smith spent 10 years writing a book called A Biography of the Pixel, the subject of his public talk, but this talk will focus on the Martin Gardner influence, having to do with the computation-theory crowd – long before Pixar and all that.
Public Talk
Location: Georgia State University Student Center, Speaker’s Auditorium, 55 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Time: Thursday, February 22nd from 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Abstract: Digital Light: A Biography of the Pixel
An unheralded event at the recent millennium was the Great Digital Convergence when all media types finally coalesced into one universal medium, the bit. The visual aspect of this large event is called Digital Light, in which bits take the form of pixels. Thus Digital Light is any picture composed of pixels, and one theory explains the entire vast domain. We’re now aswim in a sea of petapixels, yet they are surprisingly ill understood, leading to all sorts of modern misunderstandings.
In this talk, Dr. Smith will trace the surprising history of the pixel, and correct the myths already abounding. It will be a quick, non-technical trip through the histories of computers and movies. Digital Light spans much more than just computer graphics—from parking meters to cellphones, from dashboards to movies, from hurricane tracking to Mars rovers, from video games to flight simulators, etc. He will show you the first pixels—they appeared surprisingly early—and the first color pixels. He will mention AI. (And, if you think that pixels are little squares, please come hear his talk!)
Sarah Hart
Sarah Hart is the first woman Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, in London, having been educated at Oxford and Manchester. She previously served as Head of Mathematics & Statistics at Birkbeck College. She was President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics from 2021 to 2023. She is passionate about communicating mathematics and is particularly interested in the links between mathematics, culture and creativity. Her book Once Upon a Prime: the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature, was published in 2023, and has been positively reviewed in the press, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times, The Observer, and The Economist.
G4G Conference Talk
Location: Ritz-Carlton Conference Ballroom
Time: Saturday Morning Session
Abstract: The Mathematics of Musical Composition
Pattern and structure are essential to music, from the permutations in a Bach fugue, to the structure of a round. This lecture will explore the mathematics of musical symmetries, such as the “translational symmetry” of the transposition of keys, and the “rotational symmetry” of the duet “Der Spiegel”, attributed to Mozart.
It will go on to explore the last century’s experimentation with the conscious use of mathematical concepts to produce new and intriguing effects.
Public Talk
Location: Georgia State University Student Center, Speaker’s Auditorium, 55 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Time: Friday, February 23rd from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Abstract: The Beautiful Connections Between Mathematics and Literature
We tend to think of mathematics and literature almost as intellectual opposites. But in fact the connections between them are profound. In this lecture we’ll look at some of the many ways that mathematical ideas and structures can be found in literature. From the hidden algebra behind poetic forms, to a novel whose underlying structure uses a mathematical puzzle that took 200 years to solve, the goal is to show you that not only are mathematics and literature inextricably linked, but that understanding these links can enhance your enjoyment of both.
G4G15 What, When, Where
- WHAT: The 15th Gathering 4 Gardner Conference
- WHEN: February 21 – 25, 2024
- WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Who usually attends?
Our participants include professional and amateur mathematicians, magicians and performers, artists, educators, scientists, and anyone who is inspired by the same interdisciplinary curiosity that excited our namesake, Martin Gardner. Attendance for G4G15 is capped at 400 individuals. - How much does the conference cost?
Early registration is $495 with add-ons available for dinners and performances. (Early registration ends Nov. 21st, regular registration will be $595.) The registration fee covers four days of presentations in the Ritz-Carlton’s grand ballroom and the traditional social and sculpture-building event. Registration does NOT cover food or lodging. - What was the previous event like?
View some of the presentations and Exchange Gifts from past events: - How can I attend?
G4G15 is an invitation-only conference; however, you can nominate yourself or others for attendance. If you are interested, please fill out the nomination form and be sure to mention the nominee’s background, passion for Martin Gardner’s legacy, and desire to engage with the community. We will be reviewing submissions periodically and will let you know if your nomination is accepted. - When does registration open?
Registration for G4G15 is now open! - Other questions?
For all other questions about G4G15, please contact support@g4gfoundation.org or visit the complete Frequently Asked Questions.
Four Days of Presentations
G4G offers opportunities for participants to share their passions and discoveries. The core of the conference consists of 4 days of brief presentations (generally 5 to 6 minutes).
PLEASE NOTE:
There are no presentations on the afternoon of the Saturday Hands-on Activities social event, which all G4G15 attendees may participate in as part of their conference registration.
Hands-on Activities
On Saturday, we will take a break from talks and spend the afternoon doing Hands-on Activities including building mathematical sculptures organized by George Hart.
With the G4G15 dates falling in February, the traditional “offsite” outdoor event has been moved to the Ritz-Carlton main ballroom. As such, this event has been merged with the main conference registration and will NOT require a separate ticket. All conference attendees and paid guests may participate in the Hands-on Activities!
Evening Entertainment
Friday and Saturday evenings at the conference are times to further connect and meet other attendees.
Friday: A buffet dinner will be followed by dessert and entertainment with close-up and stage magic.
Saturday: A buffet dinner will be followed by our Main Gala event with special entertainment. Past shows have included close-up and stage magic along with variety-style acts from juggling to feats of strength and mental math.
Gift Exchange
Traditionally, every Gathering conference includes a Gift Exchange in which attendees swap puzzles, magic tricks, artwork, papers, novelty items, books, etc. Participants in the exchange must submit an item for the physical Exchange Bag or a paper for the G4G archive. If you’re looking for inspiration, think of the exchange as a collection of items Martin Gardner might find intriguing.
Everyone who participates in the Exchange will receive a G4G15 Exchange Bag. It is optional to bring printed copies of your paper for inclusion in the gift bag at the conference. We will combine all printed items into a G4G15 branded folder for each Exchange Bag. This folder will be in lieu of printing a physical book. After the conference, the papers will also be made available online via the G4G website and our online archive (with author permission).
To learn more about the Gift Exchange, click below:
Sales Room & Exhibit Room
At G4G15, attendees will have the option of setting up a table in the Sales Room and / or the Exhibit Room.
Sales Room: If you are a vendor and wish to sell items to other G4G attendees (examples: books, sculptures, puzzles, mathy toys, etc.) consider reserving a Sales Table. Only attendees registered for a Sales Table will be permitted to sell their inventory at the conference.
Exhibit Room: If you have something special to share with the G4G community that is either too large or complex to be reproduced for the gift exchange, consider reserving an Exhibit Table. Past exhibit examples include: surprising 3D-printed objects, unusual musical instruments, kinetic sculptures, historical collections, and special edition books, toys, and games.
For both the Sales and Exhibit Room, space is limited and tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
TRUTH VALUES PLAY
Save the Date for This Free Special Event!
What: Truth Values – A Play by Gioia De Cari
When: Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Where: Atlantic Theater, Georgia Tech
Cost: G4G15 attendees and guests don’t need a ticket – a G4G15 badge will get you in. The show is free and open to the public, non-G4G attendees can get a ticket online HERE.
Synopsis:
Truth Values is a true-life tale that offers a humorous, insightful, and ultimately uplifting look at the joys and challenges of being a professional woman in the male-dominated fields of mathematics and the sciences.
Over the course of the 75-minute solo show, writer/performer and “recovering mathematician” Gioia De Cari creates “refreshing delights of humor, even compassion” (EDGE Media) as she charmingly brings to life more than 30 characters “each rendered on an empty stage that hints at the countless stories similar to hers but untold.” (TimeOut New York)
Winner of a New York International Fringe Festival Overall Excellence Award for Best Solo Show, the play has been presented at more than 60 theaters and performing arts centers throughout the United States and Canada, including the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, the La Jolla Playhouse, and USC’s celebrated Visions and Voices Arts and Humanities Series, among many others.
Truth Values has been embraced nationally as a conversation catalyst on the crucial topic of gender, diversity and unconscious bias in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Nominate Attendees
You are welcome to nominate new attendees (including yourself) for invitation to G4G15. Please let us know how your nominee will enrich the G4G community. Fill out the form once for each person being nominated.
G4G15 Logo
The G4G15 logo was designed by Scott Kim.
Spoiler alert: before I describe the origin of the G4G15 logo, you may want to try and figure it out yourself. What does this logo have to do with the number 15? What famous puzzle does it refer to? What is the implicit challenge in this logo, why is that interesting, and how can it be solved? – Scott Kim
If you would like to submit an unofficial logo for G4G15, please email us at: support@g4gfoundation.com.
Code of Conduct
G4G15 is a gathering of people of all ages from many disciplines with different interests. However, we all have one thing in common and that is our love of Martin Gardner and his legacy, which we are there to celebrate. We gather to share our ideas and learn about yours. We gather to see old friends and make new ones and to have a great time!
Some of us have been to all of the Gatherings and some of us are here for the first time. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that we all have a great time.
- We welcome new attendees, especially young attendees who might not find it easy to engage a more senior attendee in conversation.
- We welcome and encourage diversity and different opinions and ideas. However, G4G is not a political platform.
- We encourage mutual respect and ask that you refrain from promoting bias and stereotypes about race, nationality, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
- If you feel uncomfortable at any time during the meeting because of unbecoming behavior, please notify a G4G board member who will address the issues confidentially.
Thank you and enjoy the Gathering!