Quasi-morphisms on a group are real-valued functions which satisfy the homomorphism equation "up to a bounded error". They are known to be a helpful tool in the study of the algebraic structure of non-Abelian groups. After giving a brief introduction to the subject, I will discuss constructions relating: a) knots, braid groups, mapping class groups, b) interesting metrics on groups of area-preserving diffeomorphisms of surfaces, c) quasi-morphisms on groups of all such diffeomorphisms.
No previous knowledge of the subject will be assumed.