The Vital Role of Math in Democracy Explored in New Documentary

Directed by Vicki Abeles, "Counted Out" discusses the societal impact of math anxiety and its implications for democracy, featuring insights from mathematicians like Ismar Volic.

In a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between mathematics and democracy, the new documentary "Counted Out" is generating buzz at various film festivals and community screenings, set for a limited cinematic release next year. The film's tagline, "Math is power," encapsulates its premise that a deep comprehension of math is crucial for addressing societal challenges ranging from healthcare to elections.

Vicki Abeles, the film's director and a former Wall Street attorney, conceived the project after observing the pervasive anxiety surrounding math among students—including her own middle school-aged daughter—and adults alike. This prompted her to probe why such fear exists and what repercussions it may have on society's ability to confront urgent issues.

The film features perspectives from numerous mathematicians, including Ismar Volic, a Wellesley College professor and founder of the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy. Volic draws from his tumultuous upbringing in Bosnia-Herzegovina, witnessing the collapse of democracy during the early 1990s, to underline the grave implications of understanding democracy's mathematical foundations.

In a recent video conference, Volic expressed a growing concern for the parallels he sees between historical events in his homeland and current trends in the United States and globally, underlining the importance of mathematical literacy in sustaining a healthy democracy. "Understanding the mechanics and infrastructure of democracy is fundamentally a mathematical endeavor," he asserted.

Through this documentary, Abeles and her contributors aim to dismantle the fears surrounding math, advocating for broader access to mathematical education as an essential tool for societal progress and empowerment in democratic participation.