Speakers/Lectures

Science writer Brian Hayes to speak

When: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
at 4:00 PM
 
Where: Regents Hall 310
 
Who: Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Parents, Public
 
Contact: Kay Smith
 

Brian Hayes will present The Full Monty Hall.
In a book review Hayes mentioned the old Monty Hall three-door puzzle (from the TV game show "Let's Make a Deal"). He was surprised to get letters in response, including several that disputed the correctness of the solution. So he wrote a little follow-up essay about this, which, of course, brought even more letters from more skeptics. Reflecting on his experience, Hayes will explore how we persuade ourselves and other people that a mathematical result is true, and what happens when the process of persuasion fails.

Brian Hayes is an author, essayist and columnist for American Scientist.