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Geometrodynamics: The Nonlinear Dynamics of Curved Spacetime

, Nobel Laureate in Physics

Sixty years ago, John Wheeler challenged his students and colleagues to  explore Geometrodynamics: the nonlinear dynamics of curved spacetime. How does the curvature of spacetime behave when roiled in a storm, like a storm at sea with crashing waves. We tried to explore this, and failed.  Success eluded us until two new tools became available: computer simulations, and gravitational wave observations. Kip will describe what these have begun to teach us, and he will offer a vision for the future of Geometrodynamics.