Blog Archives
We Can Demand Better
Making Democracy Count explores the impact of mathematics on the many facets of the democratic process. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book grew out of my various efforts in the math and democracy space. I teach a course called Math and Politics at Wellesley College and direct the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy. Through my many interactions and projects with students and researchers, I realized that there was a need for a book serving as a reader-friendly, gentle introduction to the math of democracy and that I actually had something to say about the subject.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
If you count the years that I taught the Math and Politics class — which is when I learned much of the material that is in the book, tested the examples, and adjusted things based on student feedback — then it took more years than I care to admit. But once I sat down to start writing, it took about a year and a half to complete the book. The amount of research I had to do was immense, but also very fun since I had to learn a lot of statistics, history, political science, economics, and law which I knew nothing about before.
What is one misconception you think many people have regarding the election process?
The general misconception is that the democratic processes we use, including those that govern our elections, are the right ones and that they are unchangeable. We take so many things about the engine of our democracy for granted. We do not realize that the voting methods we use are flawed, that the Electoral College is a terrible relic of the past, that districting as we do it is a horrific instrument of disenfranchisement. But we can change these processes. We can demand better, more mathematically sound ones.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Making Democracy Count?
Mathematics can point the way toward better democratic processes. Our democracy runs on algorithms, and mathematics can tell us which ones are flawed and which ones we should use instead. From the objective, non-partisan point of view of mathematics, things like ranked choice voting, multi-winner districts, and open primaries are clearly better because they provide more representation and a more complete picture of the will of the people. We should embrace the mathematical point of view and work to increase our political quantitative literacy.
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How we can repair our democracy by rebuilding the mechanisms that power it
What’s the best way to determine what most voters want when multiple candidates are running? What’s the fairest way to allocate legislative seats to different constituencies? What’s the least distorted way to draw voting districts? Not the way we do things now. Democracy is mathematical to its very foundations. Yet most of the methods in use are a historical grab bag of the shortsighted, the cynical, the innumerate, and the outright discriminatory. Making Democracy Count sheds new light on our electoral systems, revealing how a deeper understanding of their mathematics is the key to creating civic infrastructure that works for everyone.
In this timely guide, Ismar Volić empowers us to use mathematical thinking as an objective, nonpartisan framework that rises above the noise and rancor of today’s divided public square. Examining our representative democracy using powerful clarifying concepts, Volić shows why our current voting system stifles political diversity, why the size of the House of Representatives contributes to its paralysis, why gerrymandering is a sinister instrument that entrenches partisanship and disenfranchisement, why the Electoral College must be rethought, and what can work better and why. Volić also discusses the legal and constitutional practicalities involved and proposes a road map for repairing the mathematical structures that undergird representative government.
Making Democracy Count gives us the concrete knowledge and the confidence to advocate for a more just, equitable, and inclusive democracy.
The Fate of AI Society
The Fate of AI Society: Civilizing Superhuman Cyberspace tackles the complex nexus between artificial intelligence, digital security, and societal governance. Through a detailed exploration of the evolution of computing, from the humble abacus to contemporary AI, the author illuminates the potential threats posed by the centralization of digital power and advocates for a revolutionary rearchitecting of our cyber infrastructure. His thesis pivots on the need for a decentralized approach that leverages the principles of the Church-Turing thesis and capability-based addressing to safeguard individual freedoms and democratic values in an increasingly digital world.
The author’s analysis is both thoughtful and provocative. He compellingly argues that the current trajectory of our AI-enabled society could lead to an Orwellian dystopia unless significant changes are made. His critique of the centralization of computing power is particularly striking, drawing parallels with historical attempts at control and manipulation.
While the urgency of Hamer-Hodges’ message is clear, the technical solutions proposed, such as adopting the λ-calculus for software design, I think, require a level of technical understanding that may be beyond the typical reader. I felt that the prose was dense at times, which obscured insightful observations. The book is laden with technical jargon and complex diagrams that, while illustrative for an informed audience, makes the text feel more like a collection of academic papers.
One thing I found particularly interesting was the author’s ability to contextualize modern technological challenges within a broad historical perspective. Hamer-Hodges skillfully traces the lineage of computing from ancient tools like the abacus to the present-day quandaries posed by artificial intelligence. This historical narrative not only enriches the reader’s understanding of technological evolution but also highlights the recurring themes of power, control, and resistance that resonate throughout human history.
The Fate of AI Society: Civilizing Superhuman Cyberspace is a great contribution to the discourse on digital ethics and governance. Hamer-Hodges offers a well-reasoned vision for a more equitable digital future, and his call to action is both timely and necessary. This book would make a worthwhile read to policymakers, computer scientists, and technology ethicists. It serves as a valuable resource for people looking to understand the potential impacts of AI and computing on society and offers practical frameworks for mitigating these effects.
Pages: 170 | ASIN : B0CK1CG9DD
Properties Of Shapes
What Is the Shape of My Egg? invites children on an enchanting voyage with Silkie the chicken, unraveling the mysteries of geometry through farmyard adventures, empowering lessons, and endearing camaraderie. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration was actually quite simple. For some time, I have wanted to write children’s stories, but the question was about what? With a little help, I narrowed down my ideas to 1) my love for animals, namely my pets (though many), and 2) what I have learned as an educational researcher, particularly in the areas of mathematical learning and spatial abilities. I will say that integrating the two was no easy task. To date, my publications have involved a completely different style of writing—academic writing. So this book, and the others to follow, was nothing short of a challenge!
The focus on geometric shapes is tied to a recent study with my University of California colleagues. In brief, we explored differences in geometric shape knowledge between a sample of U.S. and Japanese children. Though there are a number of learning points to share, the one implication from the study is that communication about the properties of shapes matters as far as learning outcomes (i.e., above and beyond visual recognition of shapes alone). In other words, though children from an early age can readily identify a circle, do they actually know or can they verbalize the properties of circles (e.g., curved, round, no straight sides, no edges, no points, no beginning or end)?
Can you share any insights into the development process of the interactive exercises in the book, and how they are designed to help children embrace their developing geometric understanding?
The goal is to apply what children have learned in the aftermath of reading the book, ideally with an adult to help promote accurate learning and opportunity to talk about shapes. The shape hunt is merely one approach.
From a developmental perspective, tapping into multiple modalities to learn facilitates learning. With the shape hunt, children should be encouraged to look for, listen (as an adult provides direction as needed), and touch (e.g., trace) various objects that are the shape of a sphere or an ovoid. In addition, “spatial talk” (i.e., use of words such as left, right, above, below, far, and near) should also be encouraged. Spatial talk relates to the way we think about numbers (e.g., smallest to largest) as well as our ability to visualize mathematical information (e.g., properties of 2D and 3D geometric shapes). Taken together, I consider early exploration of shapes and space as a foundation for more advanced geometric concepts that will be introduced in later years.
You included insightful facts about the Silkie chicken breed in the book; was this a personal interest of yours, or was it chosen to add another layer of engagement with the story?
A very personal interest! As shared in the book, Silkie the chicken is a real-life character. For those who are familiar with the breed, it is so true that these chickens are delightful little critters. They make for wonderful pets—both inside and outside the home! I added Silkie chicken facts for those who are not familiar with the breed. So yes, it can be considered another layer of engagement, an added educational component to the book.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
What Is the Shape of My Ears? is the second title in the Shape Stories with Farm Friends Series. It will be available via pre-order November-December 2023. The main character is Pearl (a mini donkey), also a real-life character! In this storyline, Pearl teaches her sidekick Duke (a mini horse) about the properties of triangles. What Is the Shape of My House?, the third and final title, should be available spring 2024 along with a supplemental shape activity book for children roughly 3-5 years of age.
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EDUCATION and STEM
Discover the world of geometry with Silkie and the Sisters in What Is the Shape of My Egg? – the first delightful installment in the Shape Stories with Farm Friends Series.
This beautifully illustrated and engaging tale introduces young readers to the world of circles and ovals while incorporating essential spatial language (e.g., left, right, up, down) to boost their spatial thinking skills. Designed for interactive read-aloud sessions, children will be encouraged to explore and trace similar shapes at home or in the classroom, reinforcing their understanding of these fundamental geometric concepts.
As the adventure unfolds, What Is the Shape of My Egg? seamlessly transitions to a deeper exploration of two and three-dimensional circular shapes, providing interactive activities for kids to apply their newfound knowledge. The book also includes fascinating facts about the endearing Silkie chicken breed, adding an extra layer of fun and curiosity to the reading experience.
Based on real-life farm animals residing in Western Montana, the vivid illustrations and lively text capture the unique personalities of Silkie and the Sisters in this entertaining and educational read – perfect for young minds eager to explore the world of shapes!
LITERARY TITAN 