A world in a grain of sand

Measuring scale is topic of February 21-23 University of Utah symposium

Harvard University physicist Lisa Randall. Click here for more information.

SALT LAKE CITY – From the vastness of the universe to the tiniest subatomic particle, the question of scale influences what we see, know and dream – not only in science, but also in art, poetry, architecture, economics, music and philosophy.

The influence of scale on how we experience the world will be the focus Thursday, Feb. 21 through Saturday, Feb. 23 during the Utah Symposium in Science and Literature at the University of Utah. The theme this year is “Measuring Scale: A World in a Grain of Sand.”

The public is invited free of charge, but registration is required.

All the keynote lectures will be held in auditoriums at the Aline Wilmot Skaggs Biology Building (ASB). Keynote speakers will discuss the effect of scale in poetry, physics and architecture:

• “The Scale of Habitation: The Body, the Cell, the City,” by University of Michigan poet Linda Gregerson, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in room 220 ASB.
  
  

• “What’s So Small to You is So Large to Me,” by Harvard University physicist Lisa Randall, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, room 220 ASB.
  
  

• “Beat Science,” by Rice University writer, designer and philosopher Sanford Kwinter, 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, room 210 ASB.
  
  

Other main events include:

• The keynote speakers also will discuss the symposium theme during a live broadcast of public radio station KUER-FM90.1’s “Radio West” show with host Doug Fabrizio at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22 in room 210 ASB. Those attending the broadcast must arrive by 10:30 a.m. and be seated by 10:45 a.m.
  
  

• A roundtable question-and-answer discussion with the keynote speakers is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 in 210 ASB.
  
  

Rice University writer-designer-philosopher Sanford Kwinter. Click here for more information.

Admission is free for all events, but space is limited. So those who wish to attend should register. A registration form may be obtained online at http://www.scienceandliterature.org/images/registration-07.pdf and then should be faxed to Angela Allen at fax (801) 585-6212. Or she may be contacted at (801) 581-7236 or