Gathering 4 Gardner, Inc.

Gathering 4 Gardner, Inc.
Founder Thomas M. Rodgers[1]
Type Educational
Registration no. 501(c)(3)
Location
  • Atlanta, GA
Elwyn Berlekamp, Mark Setteducati
Key people
 Elwyn Berlekamp, Nancy Blachman, Rob Jones, Thane Plambeck, John Railing, Mark Setteducati, Scott Hudson de Tarnowsky[2][3]
Website www.gathering4gardner.org

Gathering 4 Gardner, Inc. (also known as Gathering for Gardner or G4G), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that works to honor the achievements of Martin Gardner by promoting the lucid exposition of new and accessible ideas in recreational mathematics, magic, puzzles, and philosophy, as well as encouraging further creative work in these areas by enthusiasts of all ages.[4]

Basic Information

The United States based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation works to honor the achievements of Martin Gardner and celebrates his life and work. G4G continues Gardner's pursuit of a playful and fun approach to mathematics, science, art, magic, and puzzles.[4]

Background

Due to Martin Gardner's notability as a columnist and writer, he communicated with a large number of people on a wide range of subjects from mathematics to philosophy and logic to magic; thus creating a large following that wanted to pay tribute to him. Throughout the past few decades, Gardner declined appearing at any honors because he was "famously shy".[1]

In January 1993, Thomas M. Rodgers, a successful entrepreneur and avid puzzle collector, conceived a plan to create a gathering of people who shared Martin Gardner's interests: math, puzzles, and magic.[4][5] Rodgers invited the world's foremost puzzle composers and collectors; also, enlisted magician, Mark Setteducati, to recruit leading magicians, and mathematician, Elwyn Berlekamp,[3][6] to recruit fellow high-powered mathematicians to come to the first Gathering (G4G1) in Atlanta, GA, which Gardner attended as the honoree.

The non-profit organization formed in 2007 after Rodgers, Elwyn Berlekamp, Thane Plambeck, Mark Setteducati, and Scott Hudson de Tarnowsky desired for the Gathering to broaden and expand the scope of educational programs.[7]

Events

Gatherings 4 Gardner - G4Gn

With the "n" denoting the number in the series, G4Gn is an invitation-only biannual conference that started in 1993. Since the second conference in 1996, the event has been held every two years.[1][5] All G4Gn events are held within Atlanta, GA.

Notable speakers are invited to talk on various subjects, which include: mathematics, logic, games, puzzles, mosaics, and magic.[8] Activities include performance art, puzzle and book displays, close-up and large-audience magic acts.[1][6][8]

Traditionally, each conference has a Gift Exchange in which attendees swap puzzles, magic tricks, artwork, mathematical papers, novelty items, books, and CDs.[5]

Celebration of Mind

Developed in 2010 after Gardner's death, Celebration of Mind is a worldwide event held on or around Martin Gardner's birthday: October 21.[7] Since Gardner wanted no memorials upon his death, the events are held at different locations around the world to celebrate the boundless creativity and curiosity of the mind. Participants can attend or host their own party.[9] Resources needed to host your own event are provided through the organization's website,[10] but participants are encouraged to "perform a magic trick, share a puzzle, or recreational mathematics problems with friends."[11]

In 2011, there was a hosted event on every continent.[7]

YouTube

The "Recreational Mathemusician", Vi Hart, created a series of videos on her YouTube channel on hexaflexagons for the Celebration of Mind's 2012 theme.[12] By the end of October 2012, Hart's first video of the series reached 4.5 millions views.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Crease, Robert P (2 April 2010). "Gathering for Gardner Homage to the iconic author of Scientific American's "Mathematical Games" column.". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Thompson, Tanya. "Gathering 4 Gardner - Celebration of Mind". Thinkfun.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Peterson, Ivars (26 March 2006). "A Gathering for Gardner". Science News. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Armani-Munn, Alexander (11 November 2011). "Gathering in honor of recreational mathematician". UNC Mirror. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bellos, Alex (30 February 2013 May 2008). "The science of fun". The Guardian. Retrieved 27. Check date values in: |date=, |accessdate= (help)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rothstein, Edward (3 April 2006). "Puzzles, Origami and Other Mind-Twisters". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Mulcahy, Colm. "Math In The News". The Mathematical Association of America. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Crease, Robert (1 July 2008). "A gathering for Gardner". Physics World. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Gathering for Gardner - join the Celebration of Mind party!". +Plus Magazine. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  10. ↑ Mulcahy, Colm (19 October 2012). "Who wants to host a Celebration of Mind? There’s still time". The Aperiodical. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  11. ↑ Kavassalis, S.C. (21 October 2010). "Gathering For Gardner: Celebration of Mind". Public Library of Science. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  12. ↑ Lamb, Evelyn (12 October 2012). "Flexagon but Not Forgotten: Celebrating Martin Gardner’s Birthday". Scientific American. Retrieved 1 March 2013.

External links