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This page was the home of the Xtraordinary cohomology theory & K-theory Collective Discussion group*. Basically, we just discussed things that we thought were cool in algebraic topology. Everyone was welcome to attend. However, this really was a discussion group and not a seminar. Talks were unpolished; questions, long digressions, and ample coffee/lunch breaks were encouraged.


This page is an archive, as well as a memento. All the titles and abstracts from the xkcd group meetings through the years are available at the links above.

I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage any and all grad students to organize their own student seminars. The best way to really learn a topic is to give a talk about it, to force yourself to be able to explain it in understandable terms. Also, the best way to become comfortable with speaking is to give lots of talks. There are many things I'd like to improve about my speaking style, but I think it's safe to say that anything good about it is a result of the many talks that I gave in this seminar over the course of my graduate career.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank my partners in crime, Cary Malkiewich and Eric Peterson. These were some good times.


* the xkcd group -- making xkcd not stand for nothing since 2010!