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Mathematics and art are more similar than is commonly thought. Each is concerned with the process of being highly creative with abstract objects and of producing everlasting work of great aesthetic beauty.
How do the different versions reflect the politics and culture of their own particular times? What makes a good Carol movie? Is it truth to the original or is it something else?
In this talk we use mathematics to look at these flaws and answer associated questions (eg. voting trends and gerrymandering). For a bit of light relief we will see how the same principles work in the Eurovision Song Contest.
An integral part of the tumultuous political events of the century was the cultural ambition of the principal players who form the subject of this lecture.
Today's cry in democratic states, and not just from representatives of populist parties, is government with the people rather than government for the people.