STEM Talks: Reading Speed and the Shape of Human Learning

This talk takes a simple question, “How fast can we read?”, and turns it into an unexpected mathematical journey that connects reading speed, geometry, and topology. Using the idea of a “reading pseudometric,” we explore how mathematics can be used to compare individuals, organize data about human learning, and even define a topology on a set of people. No advanced background is required, just curiosity about how everyday experiences can inspire surprising mathematical ideas and applications!