We will give a brief survey of results in operator algebras that have been proven with strong set-theoretic hypotheses, describing these assumptions in detail. Some of these theorems are in fact independence proofs; we will go over what this means and describe the major strategies for producing independence proofs. Finally, we outline how the method of set-theoretic forcing can be used in the study of graph algebras.
Note that no special background in either operator algebras or set theory will be required to gain some appreciation for this area of research from the talk.
Applications of Set-Theoretic Axioms and Techniques to Operator Algebras Sponsored by the Meyer Fund