College of Charleston

School of Science & Math

Department of Physics & Astronomy

 

Colloquium

Politically Nonconforming Scientists Met Behind the Iron Curtain

Dr. Mikhail Agrest
Department of
Physics & Astronomy
College
of Charleston

 

Thursday, February 7, 2008, 1:40 p.m., SCIC 126

Contemporary inventions in science and in physics particularly are often more exciting than science fiction fantasies of the most sophisticated writers. The life and work of scientists in the contemporary world is of great interest to the public and politicians partially because of mass destruction opportunities hidden in these inventions. The gravitation to free communication and the exchange of ideas with colleagues in the world independently of their political affiliation sometimes takes over the sense of personal security. This paper uncovers just one page in the relationships of former USSR and U.S. scientists during the Cold War. A meeting of renowned American particle physicist Thomas Stix with one of the invisible Russian scientists, a participant of the Russian Nuclear project, a generator of extraordinary ideas, and a dissident Mates Agrest was documented by the KGB agent. The photographs of that meeting became available.

 

All interested persons are cordially invited to attend. Refreshments will be provided.