This event explores how the process of designing alternative futures can deepen a learner's understanding of complex problems, positively impact one's sense of self, and transform defeat into self-empowerment. Using climate change as the backdrop, a panel discussion will highlight current work using climate futurism to impact change. A hands-on speculative design exercise will challenge students to reimagine an alternate future unfettered by current constraints.Free with museum admission. Free for teens.

Want to get exercise toward the end of the day but don’t want to go outside? Join the tunnel walk for a 30-minute walk led by a volunteer through MIT’s famous tunnel system. This walk may include stairs/inclines. Wear comfortable shoes. Free.Location details: Meet in the lobby with the big mirror, right inside the Collier Memorial entrance to Stata. Location photo below.Tunnel Walk Leaders will have a white flag they will raise at the meeting spot for you to find them.Prize Drawing: Attend a walk and scan a QR code from the walk leaders to be entered into a drawing for a getfit tote bag at the end of the getfit challenge. The more walks you attend, the more entries you get. Winner will be drawn and notified at the end of April. Winner does not need to be a getfit participant.Disclaimer: Tunnel walks are led by volunteers. In the rare occasion when a volunteer isn’t able to make it, we will do our best to notify participants. In the event we are unable to notify participants and a walk leader does not show up, we encourage you to walk as much as you feel comfortable doing so. We recommend checking this calendar just before you head out! [As of Feb 12, this calendar is defaulting to the year 1899. Click "today" to be brought to the current month.]Getfit is a 12-week fitness challenge for the entire MIT community. These tunnel walks are open to the entire MIT community and you do not need to be a current getfit participant to join.

Speaker: Dor Minzer (MIT)Title: On Approximability of Satisfiable CSPs and FriendsAbstract: Constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs in short) are among the most important computational problems studied in Theoretical Computer Science. This talk will focus on a recent line of study addressing the complexity of approximating satisfiable instances of CSPs, and connections of this study to multi-player parallel repetition theorems, property testing and combinatorics.Based mostly on joint works with Amey Bhangale, Subhash Khot and Yang P. Liu.

Asia in Dialogue Seminar Series presents"Descendants of the Eunuch Admiral: Zheng He and the Chinese Overseas"Presented by Tansen Sen, NYU Shanghai and Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton)This presentation examines the processes of landscape- and heritage-making associated with Zheng He in Java, Malacca, and Singapore. By exploring the veneration of Zheng He among both Chinese Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Java, the curation of his legacy in Malacca, and the broader issue of heritage-making in Singapore, this study seeks to address two key questions: Why did Zheng He matter to the Chinese overseas? And how did the Chinese overseas transform his legacy? It draws on the concepts of “superscription” and “Zheng He after Zheng He” to argue that Southeast Asia played a pivotal role in shaping Zheng He’s legacy.

Thursday, February 27, 5-7 p.m., Room 32-124 (dinner provided)Are you prepared to "hit the ground running" at your next internship or in a new role after graduating? Learning how to “take charge” and actively engage with your new responsibilities is an important skill to master.This workshop will help you understand and build this skillset as it relates to your future goals. Hear from a panel of MIT Grad Students as they share their experiences and advice on successfully kickstarting their careers.Who shouldattend:· MIT grad students from all majors· Seeking internships or full time positions· Have internship/employment offers andwant to begin with a strong startWhat you'll learn:· Why "taking charge" is an important skill· Common mistakes and how to avoid them· Strategies for actively engaging with your new responsibilities· Real advice from MIT Grad Students