We will begin a new topic on Tuesday. Andzy Zucker will speak
on interactions between logic and topological dynamics.
Mathematical logic seminar – November 12 2013
Time: 12:00 – 13:20
Room: Wean Hall 7201
Speaker: Andy Zucker
Department of Mathematical Sciences
CMU
Title: Interactions between logic and topological dynamics
Abstract:
Given a topological group G, a G-flow is a jointly continuous action GxX –> X, where X is compact Hausdorff. In particular, each topological group has a unique universal minimal flow, the “largest” minimal flow in a sense to be made precise. Unfortunately, this flow is in general not easy to construct.
Kechris, Pestov, and Todorcevic came up with a general method to compute the universal minimal flows of several automorphism groups of Fraisse structures. I will discuss this method, focusing on applications to amenability and unique ergodicity of topological groups. In particular, I will address the extent to which we can think of a Fraisse structure as a “random” expansion of a structure in a smaller language.Â