Join SUNY Potsdam for 'Counted Out' documentary screening

POTSDAM, N.Y. (WWTI) – SUNY Potsdam's Department of Mathematics is inviting the public and campus community to a free screening of the feature documentary, 'Counted Out,' on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. The event will take place in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room and includes a post-film question-and-answer session. Supported by the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning, the evening aims to spark conversation about how numerical literacy shapes modern society. For students enrolled in online degree programs, a separate virtual screening will also be provided to ensure full campus access. While admission is completely free and tickets are not required, organizers encourage attendees to RSVP in advance to assist with event preparation. According to SUNY Potsdam, 'Counted Out' explores pressing contemporary challenges—including political polarization, racial bias, economic inequity, and climate change—through the unexpected lens of mathematics. The film posits that math operates as an invisible layer governing everyday life, influencing everything from job access and housing to electoral outcomes and digital media consumption. Director Vicki Abeles frames numeric literacy as a fundamental civil rights issue of the modern era. 'In my quest to understand math's critical role in our lives, I uncovered a movement of scholars, activists, and educators who also see math as more than an academic subject. For them, math is a tool for understanding and harnessing the beauty, wonder, and possibility of the world we live in.' The documentary features prominent voices across various industries: Through intimate personal narratives and real-world examples of educational transformation, the film challenges the common cultural narrative of not being a 'math person,' urging audiences to consider how widespread mathematical literacy can help citizens actively shape their communities. For further details regarding the event or to secure a reservation, community members can visit the official SUNY Potsdam registration page online.