A debate has surrounded one question for centuries – Who really wrote the works attributed to Shakespeare? Some of the names put forward range from actor William Shakspere, or Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, to Sir Francis Bacon, the father of the scientific method. Local author and Potsdam Central Schools English teacher Jake Roberts [Critical Thinking and Rhetoric Instructor, “College in High School” (CHS) at SUNY Potsdam] will discuss how he used Sir Francis Bacon’s own cipher systems (and his favored inductive reasoning) to decrypt a series of cipher messages left behind in a plaque adorning Shakespeare’s Funerary Monument located in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He will discuss the science of cryptanalysis, the methodology used, and the surprising messages he unraveled.
Traditionally, Science Cafés have brought together local university and college professors and townspeople in relaxed, informal settings, such as coffeehouses and pubs. For the health and safety of all, we will continue with a virtual platform (ZOOM) for the spring 2022 talks. The speaker will make a presentation about a topic in his or her field and, as always, there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Not familiar with virtual event participation? We will use ZOOM which allows participants to connect with or without ZOOM installed on your device. Use the following link to access the Zoom Help Center, which offers information, instructions and assistance to new Zoom users. https://support.zoom.us
This ZOOM meeting link [required to access the meeting] will be used for all of the spring 2022 talks and is also available on our webpage http://www.clarkson.edu/sciencecafe.
Would you like to be added to our email list and receive regular information and reminders? Just email sciencecafe@clarkson.edu and ask us to add you to the list.
The Science Café is sponsored by Clarkson University School of Arts & Sciences, Potsdam NY.
