Superrigidity, Ratner's theorem, and fundamental groups (Q1182832)

The author discusses the implications of superrigidity [see \textit{R. J. Zimmer}, Ergodic theory and semisimple groups (Birkhäuser, 1984; Zbl 0571.58015)] and \textit{M. Ratner's} theorem on invariant measures on homogeneous spaces [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 134, 545-607 (1991; Zbl 0763.28012)] for understanding the fundamental group of manifolds with an action of a semisimple Lie group. First results in this direction appeared in [\textit{M. Gromov}, Rigid transformation groups, Géométrie différentielle, Colloq. Geom. Phys., Paris/Fr. 1986, Trav. Cours 33, 65-139 (1988; Zbl 0652.53023)].