The closing of MSR-SV two months ago raised a fair bit of discussion, and I would like to contribute some of my own thoughts. Since the topic of industrial research is important, I would like the opportunity to counter some misconceptions that have spread. I would also like to share my advice with anyone that (like me) is … Continue reading Out the Window
Author: Omer Reingold
Sanjeev Arora: Potential changes to STOC/FOCS: report from special FOCS session
As Boaz advertised, FOCS had a panel-led discussion on “How might FOCS and STOC evolve?” Here is a summary of that session by Sanjeev Arora: -------------------- This blog post is a report about a special 80 min session on the future shape of STOC/FOCS, organized by David Shmoys (IEEE TCMF Chair) and Paul Beame (ACM Sigact … Continue reading Sanjeev Arora: Potential changes to STOC/FOCS: report from special FOCS session
FOCS/STOC: Protect the Venue, Reform the Meeting
by Boaz Barak and Omer Reingold ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The debate about the future of FOCS/STOC has been long and heated. A wide range of criticism (containing at times contradicting complaints) was answered with one simple truth: FOCS/STOC have played and still plays an invaluable role for the TOC community. Indeed, the authors of this proposal have … Continue reading FOCS/STOC: Protect the Venue, Reform the Meeting
Farewell Microsoft-Research Silicon Valley Lab
Today, I choose to remember the five amazing years I spent in MSR-SV Labs (which are unfortunately closing). In a place with no boarders between research areas, I was free to follow my intellectual curiosity with colleagues I wouldn’t normally have the great fortune of working with. My non-theory colleagues have left me a much … Continue reading Farewell Microsoft-Research Silicon Valley Lab
Congratulations to Subhash Khot for Nevanlinna Prize
I am delighted by the news that Subhash Khot was awarded the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize. I am reminded of a time (many years ago) when Robert Krauthgamer and I were arguing about one of Subhash’s papers if it is more of a Complexity Theory paper or more of an Algorithms paper. While this was a … Continue reading Congratulations to Subhash Khot for Nevanlinna Prize
Emanuele Viola presents: “behind the paper”
Emanuele Viola started a new series of posts which is related to the research life-stories project. In his words: "the series “behind the paper” collects snapshots of the generation of papers. For example, did you spend months proving an exciting bound, only to discover it was already known? Or what was the key insight which made … Continue reading Emanuele Viola presents: “behind the paper”
Goin’ up, down, all around, it’s like a see saw*
This is my last research life-story (at least for now), possibly concluding this project (though you are all very welcomed to share more as long as this blog lives). My main hope was to give legitimacy to all of us to acknowledge and discuss our uncomfortable feelings and the “non-scientific” challenges of our careers. My … Continue reading Goin’ up, down, all around, it’s like a see saw*
Collaboration, competition, and competition within collaboration
Another instalment on my research-life stories. --------------- The Talmud says: “competition/envy among scholars increases wisdom” (kinat sofrim tarbe chochma). Good or bad, competition is here to stay. Nevertheless, one of the strengths of our community is in its collaborative nature. This is good for science, but in my eyes also makes our life so much … Continue reading Collaboration, competition, and competition within collaboration
Woos and boos: my research talks
Coming back to the research-life stories project I intend to write a few (three that currently come to mind) more stories of my own, hoping that they will inspire more stories by others. --------------- My first research project progressed very quickly. A few months after I started working with Moni, I found myself writing my … Continue reading Woos and boos: my research talks
FOCS 2013 is over
FOCS 2013 is over, and as predicted here it was very successful. I am happy to have taken part in its success (though all of the credit goes of course to the authors). I also predicted that "A significant fraction of the community will think the PC messed up badly." Naturally, most of the people with … Continue reading FOCS 2013 is over
Windows On Theory 