Anti-Racist Mathematics and Other Stories: Pure Difference (Episode 1)

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  • Anti-Racist Mathematics and Other Stories: Pure Difference (Episode 1)

  • Artist: Byron Peters
  • Year: 2017
  • Duration: 21:45
  • Country: Canada
  • Anti-Racist Mathematics and Other Stories is a three-part video series that artistically re-interprets the form of educational videos to tell tales from the history of mathematics, global power, and communication technologies. From the notion of a ‘science of revolt’ declared by Brad Werner and contextualized by Donna Haraway, the history of the algorithm from al-Khwārizmī, Karl Marx’s mathematical manuscripts, to IBM’s present-day algorithm that is cited to distinguish refugees from terrorists, this video series speculates on the make-up of technical languages and what they could become.

    Pure Difference asks us "What is a number?" Using the visual tropes of a tech-conference presentation, trashy YouTube video and film essay, Peters sifts the foundations of science and mathematics, to disclose how these languages buttress power and galvanize authority. It is the debut episode in the series Anti-Racist Mathematics and Other Stories.

    Episode 2 is titled 10-3=13 (12min) . Episode 3 is titled Secessio (18min).

  • Accession #: 6047
  • Distribution Status: In Distribution
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