Intelligence Squared On the Map: Why Mathematics Can Be Seen Everywhere We Go, with Paulina Rowinska
Aug 18, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Paulina Rowinska, a mathematician and author of "Mapmatics," teams up with Roma Agrawal, a structural engineer and science communicator. They delve into how math intertwines with everyday life, from cartography’s impact on our understanding of geography to the peculiarities of measuring natural borders. Rowinska also reveals the complexities of navigating city maps and highlights the underappreciated contributions of women like Marie Tharp in science, showcasing the hidden narratives within numbers.
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Gauss and Pizza
- Gauss, a renowned mathematician, developed the Theorema Egregium, which states that a surface's curvature cannot change without distortion.
- This principle applies to mapmaking and even explains why folding a pizza slice prevents it from flopping.
Map Distortions and Storytelling
- No perfect 2D map of the 3D Earth exists, leading to distortions in shape or size.
- Different map projections can tell different stories, highlighting the importance of understanding these distortions.
Mercator Map's Size Distortion
- The Mercator map projection, commonly used by online maps, preserves angles for navigation but distorts sizes.
- This distortion often leads to misconceptions about the relative sizes of continents, impacting perceptions of importance.