Ooh Perimeter Institute, where shall I start? Well when I heard of it for the first time, it was like a dream come true. A building that houses the most influential figures in physics and mathematics from all over the world, all paid to just think and ponder the workings of nature, all within a few kilometers from here. The researchers at Perimeter are deeply looking into the workings of the universe with the ultimate goal of being able to describe how every particle in the universe behaves under every circumstance. What does that mean? Well, when we have such knowledge, we will be able to decipher all of the secrets behind the creation, evolution, and perhaps destruction of the universe. Furthermore, the researchers are also working in affiliation with the University of Waterloo on developing quantum computers. Quantum computers are the computers of the future; in fact these computers are so bazaar that they will be able to compute information faster than all the computers on earth today, combined.

The beauty of the institute is their public lectures. Every month, an eminent researcher comes down to Waterloo and gives a lecture on a certain topic. Those lectures are free to attend and contain no crazy math, but rather a simplification that the layman could understand. They also visit high schools, where they answer any question you have about the universe. When they came to my highschool I remember such question as:
Can we teleport? Is the universe going to die? Is there a multiverse (multiple universes) ?

On the opening day of the institute, Sir Roger Penrose, came down from England to give a lecture; I was lucky enough to attend. If you haven’t heard of Penrose, then I suggest you go to amazon.com and just read some book reviews. I can go on forever about this place, but I’ll leave you with some pictures of the building where the researchers reside. The building recently won an architectural award, and I can see why. The building is very odd looking and random, someone told me that the intention of the architect was to confuse observers of the building. What do you think? Is the institute worth 100 million? Should we spend money on understanding how the universe works? Do you want a similar research facility near you?


Here's a front view of the building

Another view.