77th ICREA Colloquium - Some Aspects of Economic Consequences of Catalan Independence
Speakers: Prof. Albert Marcet (MOVE) and Prof. Jaume Ventura (CREI)
When: 26th September 2017, 18:00h
Where: ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 6th floor
Abstract:
The economic consequences of Catalan independence is a key issue of our time. Various measurements of economic aggregates play a key role on the discussion. For example, there has been a debate about whether the concept of fiscal balances is “right” or “wrong”. Or if the “right” measurement is by monetary flows or cost-benefit. Should the fiscal balance be adjusted for the cycle? Some have argued that the Catalan trade surplus with Spain “compensates” the fiscal balance deficit. Also that the trade surplus with Spain measures of how much Catalunya would loose, should it become independent. The political and journalistic discussion about these issues is often based on moral or philosophical values, we would like to show how it can be used for more scientific purposes.
The research of Marcet and Ventura revolves around the issues of fiscal policy and international macroeconomics that encompass the above issues. They will discuss how some measurements of economic aggregates can be used to make predictions about the consequences of Catalan independence. We hope this session will contribute to the current debate and it will also display how economics can focus on empirical measurements, model evaluation and predictions.
The ICREA colloquia are a great way to learn about remote fields of research from our best experts. We usually have two speakers, who offer their opinions on the same subject from very different angles. Open to all ICREAs and their guests. There’s wine and munchies at the end, please book in advance!
Music party
On June 22, starting at 18:30 and until 21:00, we will meet at the Big Bang Bar (carrer Botella, 7, 08001 - Barcelona), https://www.facebook.com/bigbangbarcelona/, for an end-of-term party with live music performed by ICREAs. The entrance is free, but you are supposed to buy the drinks at the bar (at very reasonable prices).
The Bar has a piano and you can bring your own musical instruments (guitar, violin, winds, drums, etc.). Several ICREAs have already confirmed they will play. Any kind of music is welcome (classical, pop, jazz,…). If you want to play or sing, please let me know. It’s going to be an informal gathering, so you may also decide to participate at the last minute, jam-session style.
You may bring some friends and colleagues, and of course band members and music partners. But since the Bar can only fit a maximum of 75 people we would like you to tell us if you will come and how many people will come with you by replying to this message.
Hope to see you there!
76th ICREA Colloquium - Abstraction in Science and Art: From Quantum Simulators to Free Improvised Jazz
Speakers: ICREA Research Professor Maciej Lewenstein (ICFO) and musicians Vasco Trilla and El Pricto
When: 2nd of May 2017, 18:00h
Where: ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 6th floor
Abstract:
This special ICREA colloquium will start with the 13 minute long movie “Physics, Jazz and Poetry”, which documents a concert by the Tomasz Stańko New York Quartet, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Nobel Prize awarded to the late Polish poet, Wisława Szymborska. The concert was held in Barcelona in March 2016 under the patronage of ICREA and ICFO. After the film, Maciej Lewenstein will introduce the concept of abstraction, first quoting the Wikipedia, and then discussing abstraction in mathematics and equivalence relations. He will argue that in natural sciences essentially “Modelling = Abstraction”, and illustrate this in physics, in which building of models is based on abstracting from details of reality. He will discuss two examples: a pendulum and the so called quantum simulators of high Tc superconductors. He will then look at the development of the contemporary art as a process of abstraction from the rules of realism in the Western visual arts, or of harmony and tonality in the Western music. In the latter case, he will base his examples on the history of jazz from the swing era to the free improvised music of the XXIst century. The talk will end with a short 20 minute live concert of free improvised jazz by Vasco Trilla (drums and percussion) and El Pricto (reeds). This should stimulate discussion about free improvisation and its rules, and about further analogies between abstractions in science and art.
The ICREA colloquia are a great way to learn about remote fields of research from our best experts. We usually have two speakers, who offer their opinions on the same subject from very different angles. Open to all ICREAs and their guests. There’s wine and munchies at the end, please book in advance!
75th ICREA Colloquium - On Data and Computational Science Approaches for Social Media and Social Simulation
Speakers: Prof. Vassil Alexandrov (BSC) and Prof. Josep Casanovas (UPC)
When: 14th March 2017, 18:00h
Where: ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 6th floor
Abstract:
Computational Science, an interdisciplinary field that melds basic sciences, mathematical modelling, quantitative analysis techniques and HPC (High Performance Computing) techniques, is integral in addressing the big problems in industries ranging from manufacturing and aerospace, to drug design and risk management and is also a key strategic asset in addressing societal challenges. On the other hand, with the emergence of Big Data and Data Science, novel research methods and approaches are needed to enable us to deal with enormous amounts of data in a variety of areas, and to enable efficient processing, visualization and analysis of the data, the results of the computations, etc. This is particularly true in the case of both Data and Compute Intensive scientific and industrial applications.
In the first part of the talk the focus will be on Social Media and how efficiently Data and Computational Science research methods, that are able to discover global properties of data and provide efficient computational approaches, can be applied when dealing with problems from this area. Examples will be drawn from psychological warfare analysis, comparing electoral campaigns, etc. The second part of the talk will focus on Data and Computational Science research methods for Social Simulation.
The ICREA colloquia are a great way to learn about remote fields of research from our best experts. We usually have two speakers, who offer their opinions on the same subject from very different angles. Open to all ICREAs and their guests. There’s wine and munchies at the end, please book in advance!
