ESP Biography



SERGEI BERNSTEIN, MIT Junior studying Math




Major: 18

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2013

Picture of Sergei Bernstein

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Although I am a math major, I have a deep interest in the human psyche.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

X5299: A Brief Overview of Memetic Trends of the Early 2000s: Sergei and Beth Show Internet Videos for an Hour in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Everybody knows about the magic of the double rainbow, but do you know about the End of Ze World? Have you heard that all your base are belong to us? Do the words Numa-Numa have a special place in your heart? Do you know why Mr. Rogers is wearing a blood stained sweater? After our class, you will be able to answer all of these puzzling questions in the affirmative. Come be exposed to the classics of the internet. If we have time at the end, we will also discuss what these videos tell us about the human psyche.


M5302: Groups, Escher, and Symmetry. in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
What is symmetry? This is the question we will spend most of the class trying to answer. In the second half of the class, I will talk about how mathematicians have answered this question, and then we will look at paintings by MC Escher to see how he applied many of the ideas we discuss in class.


W5305: Smoothie Experimentation in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Ever wondered how to make a smoothie? Maybe you've made a few smoothies, but you've never really had a chance to experiment with different ingredients. Either way, this class is for you! Come help make tasty smoothies and then drink them!


X4624: The Day the Music Died in Spark! 2011 (Mar. 12, 2011)
No, we're not talking about the SuperBowl halftime show. This class will discuss the historical context and meaning of Don McLean's 'American Pie'. As it turns out, the death of Rock 'n Roll was long before Fergie tried to sing Guns 'n Roses.


A4638: History of Erotica in Spark! 2011 (Mar. 12, 2011)
We are going to do a brief survey of erotica throughout human history. We will begin with erotica in the ancient world, and by the end of the class, we will have reached modern times. We will discuss the legal and social issues surrounding erotica including the evolution of obscenity laws and the role of erotica in society.


X4645: "Got a Light?" : Lite - The Non-Smoking Version in Spark! 2011 (Mar. 12, 2011)
For those interested in the history, etiquette, fashion, and laws surrounding tobacco smoking, without the hands-on aspect. We will talk about sensitive issues related to tobacco and smoking, but will not try any smoking ourselves.


X3732: Durak in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
Have you ever played the Russian card game durak? It's a lot of fun and we will be teaching you how to play it! Afterwards, we'll play it for a while!


X3999: Introduction to Dominion in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
"I throne room a throne room and play two bridges!" Come and learn to play (or just play) the great card/board game Dominion. Dominion is a strategic deck-building card game that is fun, addicting, and awesome! Players of all skill welcome.


X4001: Advanced Theoretical Dominion in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
So you know how to play Dominion -- want to study some theory? Learn about the Persian Offense, the Gardens Gambit, and the Defensive Duke. And then try some of these theoretical calculations in practice! All skills welcome.


X3238: ДУРАК, a Russian card game in Spark! 2010 (Mar. 13, 2010)
CARDS CARDS CARDS CARDS!! VICTORY!!!! oh wait, there is not victory.... Come play the game where you can't win - you can just not lose. It's kind of like real life in that way. Come be the durak!! Here's how it's going to go: 1. We'll teach you the rules 2. We'll play 3. DOUGHNUTS


Got a Light?: A Survey of Tobacco Smoking (18+ only) in SPARK (2011)
Tobacco (pipe) smoking has a long and interesting history. Come learn about it! This is a counterpart to the other ...