High Anxieties - The Mathematics of Chaos 15 years old

The documentary looks at the modern advances in mathematics and how they affect our understanding of physics, economics, environmental issues and human psychology, as well as how developments in 20th Century mathematics have affected our view of the world, and particularly how the financial economy and earth’s environment are now seen as inherently unpredictable. The film examines the influence the work of Henri Poincare and Alexander Lyapunov had on later developments in mathematics. It includes interviews with David Ruelle, about chaos theory and turbulence, the economist Paul Ormerod about the unpredictability of economic systems, and James Lovelock the founder of Gaia theory about climate change and tipping points in the environment. As we approach tipping points in both the economy and the climate, the film examines the mathematics we have been reluctant to face up to and asks if, even now, we would rather bury our heads in the sand rather than face harsh truths.

Credits

High Anxieties - The Mathematics of Chaos Cast

Name Character
James Lovelock He was 89, now 104 years old as Himself
David Malone He was 31, now 46 years old as Presenter

High Anxieties - The Mathematics of Chaos Crew

Name Department
David Malone as Director. He was 31 (now 46) years old Directing
High Anxieties - The Mathematics of Chaos poster
High Anxieties - The Mathematics of Chaos (15 years)

  • Release day: Monday, October 13, 2008
  • Runtime: 60 minutes