In the new documentary, “Counted Out,” director Vicki Abeles explores the vital intersection of mathematics, civil rights, and democracy, emphasizing the powerful role that numbers play in social progress. The film, which is currently enjoying recognition at festivals and will be released theatrically in the coming year, aims to confront widespread math anxiety and reveal how it hinders society's capacity to address significant issues, such as health care, climate crises, misinformation, and electoral integrity.
Abeles, who previously practiced law on Wall Street, drew inspiration from observing math anxiety in her own daughter and among her peers, prompting her to question the societal consequences of this fear. "Restricting math access to a limited group stifles collective societal advancements," she asserted.
Notable mathematician Ismar Volic, a key interviewee in the film and a mathematics professor at Wellesley College, recalls the collapse of democracy in his homeland of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the early 1990s, leading him to draw parallels with contemporary global challenges. "Understanding the mathematical foundation of democracy has become more critical than ever," he noted, highlighting its influence on voting systems and representation.
Conducted through a combination of video and email correspondence, the dialogues in the film emphasize the urgent need for broader mathematical literacy to ensure that democracy remains robust and accessible for all, illustrating the pressing reality that the fear of math can have far-reaching civic implications. As viewers prepare to engage with the film, the conversations within serve as a rallying cry to embrace the power of math as a tool for democratic empowerment.
Abeles, who previously practiced law on Wall Street, drew inspiration from observing math anxiety in her own daughter and among her peers, prompting her to question the societal consequences of this fear. "Restricting math access to a limited group stifles collective societal advancements," she asserted.
Notable mathematician Ismar Volic, a key interviewee in the film and a mathematics professor at Wellesley College, recalls the collapse of democracy in his homeland of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the early 1990s, leading him to draw parallels with contemporary global challenges. "Understanding the mathematical foundation of democracy has become more critical than ever," he noted, highlighting its influence on voting systems and representation.
Conducted through a combination of video and email correspondence, the dialogues in the film emphasize the urgent need for broader mathematical literacy to ensure that democracy remains robust and accessible for all, illustrating the pressing reality that the fear of math can have far-reaching civic implications. As viewers prepare to engage with the film, the conversations within serve as a rallying cry to embrace the power of math as a tool for democratic empowerment.
