Hayford Amedji-dela Anyidoho

The expressions “Quadratur des Kreises” (Quadrature of the Circle) and “Quadratur des Käses” (Quadrature of the Cheese) illustrate different challenges, one rooted in historical mathematical impossibility and the other in modern satirical critique. Here’s a closer look at what these phrases mean, where they come from, and how they are used in media.

Quadratur des Kreises (Quadrature of the Circle)
Meaning and Origin:
The “Quadratur des Kreises” refers to a classical problem in geometry from antiquity. It involves trying to construct a square with the same area as a given circle using only a compass and straightedge. This was proven to be impossible in the 19th century because π (Pi), necessary for the calculation, is a transcendental number and cannot be expressed through finite operations.

Metaphorically, the term is used to describe an impossible or highly difficult task, often involving reconciling contradictory elements.

Examples from the Media

1. Political Discussions:

The term is often used in political contexts to describe unsolvable challenges, such as balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. For example, the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” once wrote about EU climate policy: “Die EU versucht die Quadratur des Kreises, indem sie wirtschaftliches Wachstum und Klimaneutralität unter einen Hut bringen will.” (“The EU is attempting the Quadrature of the Circle by trying to reconcile economic growth and climate neutrality.”)

2. Economics:     

In economics, the phrase describes the difficulty of balancing opposing interests. For instance, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” discussed the challenge of fighting inflation without harming economic growth: “Die Zentralbanken stehen vor der Quadratur des Kreises: Sie sollen die Inflation senken, ohne eine Rezession auszulösen.” (“Central banks face the Quadrature of the Circle: They need to lower inflation without triggering a recession.”)

3. Societal Issues:

The expression also appears in social contexts. An article in “Die Zeit” discussed migrant integration in Germany: “Die Quadratur des Kreises besteht darin, einerseits kulturelle Vielfalt zu bewahren und andererseits ein einheitliches Gesellschaftsbild zu fördern.” (“The Quadrature of the Circle is to preserve cultural diversity while promoting a unified societal image.”)

Quadratur des Käses (Quadrature of the Cheese)
Meaning and Origin

The “Quadratur des Käses” is a more recent expression that originated from a cartoon in the Swiss satire magazine “Nebelspalter.” It plays humorously on the “Quadrature of the Circle” by applying the idea of impossibility or absurdity to everyday, often trivial problems. It highlights endeavors that are unnecessarily complicated or futile.

Examples from the Media

1. Culinary and Consumerism: The expression was used in “Der Spiegel” to describe the challenge of marketing a vegan cheese that tastes like real cheese but is also free of animal products and environmentally friendly: “Die Quadratur des Käses: Veganer Käse, der schmeckt wie das Original, aber ohne Tierleid.” (“The Quadrature of the Cheese: Vegan cheese that tastes like the original but without animal suffering.”)

2. Technological Innovations: Another example can be found in the “Frankfurter Rundschau,” which reported on the development of an environmentally friendly electric car: “Die Automobilindustrie steht vor der Quadratur des Käses: Ein Fahrzeug, das emissionsfrei, leistungsstark, günstig und ohne seltene Rohstoffe herzustellen ist.” (“The automotive industry faces the Quadrature of the Cheese: A vehicle that is emission-free, powerful, affordable, and made without rare raw materials.”)

3. Bureaucracy and Administration: In a commentary in “taz,” the phrase was used to highlight the often contradictory demands in public administration: “Die Behörden versuchen die Quadratur des Käses, wenn sie maximale Sicherheit mit minimalem Aufwand und Kostenaufwand gewährleisten wollen.” (“Authorities are attempting the Quadrature of the Cheese when they try to ensure maximum security with minimal effort and costs.”)

Conclusion

While the “Quadratur des Kreises” refers to reconciling impossible conflicts or extremely challenging tasks, the “Quadratur des Käses” is used humorously and satirically to highlight the absurdity or over-complexity of modern problems. Both expressions are well integrated into the German language, reflecting how phrases from mathematics and satire can find their way into everyday speech and media, helping us articulate the challenges of our times in a concise and sometimes tongue-in-cheek manner.