The Genesis of Vertex Algebras

Explore the origins and development of vertex algebras in this guest lecture by Richard Borcherds from Berkeley. Delve into the historical context, starting with the original definition and progressing through key concepts such as the Leech lattice, Dinkin diagrams, and root multiplicity. Discover the connections between vertex algebras and string theory, and examine the role of power series and Li algebras in their formulation. Gain insights into common myths surrounding vertex algebras and develop a deeper understanding of this important mathematical concept.