Join us for an evening of deciphering language puzzles and conversing about symbolic notation with interdisciplinary historian and scholar Sean O’Neil (University of Nevada, Reno). During the first hour of our program, we will play through the science-fiction puzzle game Sethian in which we work to master a fictitious language. In the second hour of our program, we will learn more about Sean’s work and research, the decipherment of symbols, and more. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged!

Sean O’Neil is a teaching assistant professor and the assistant director of the Core Humanities program at the University of Nevada, Reno. A historian of science and of early modern Europe by training, his research broadly examines how interest in what we would now call “information visualization” emerged in medieval and early modern Europe. Sean received a PhD in history and a certificate in comparative literature and society from Columbia University, and he also holds degrees in linguistics, English literature, and folklore. Prior to earning his PhD, he taught language arts at the high school level in both the United States and Japan.

Humanities at Play explores and showcases the significance of the humanities in everyday life through games, media, and popular culture. Join us for dynamic and interactive online and in-person events designed to spark thoughtful conversation and reflection. Learn more at nevadahumanities.org/humanities-at-play.