{"id":43093,"date":"2023-12-19T21:41:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T02:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=43093"},"modified":"2023-12-19T21:41:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T02:41:28","slug":"review-of-hidden-systems-by-dan-nott","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=43093","title":{"rendered":"Review of Hidden Systems, by Dan Nott"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Hidden Systems<\/p>\n

Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day<\/em><\/p>\n

by Dan Nott<\/p>\n

RH Graphic, 2023. 264 pages.
\nReview written September 29, 2023, from a book sent by the publisher.
\nStarred Review
\n2023 National Book Award Longlist<\/p>\n

Hidden Systems<\/em> is graphic novel format nonfiction about some essentially important \u2013 but hidden things. In three sections, the author explains, with diagrams and drawings, how the Internet works, how electricity works, and how our water systems work.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting that the topics are approached in the opposite order from the subtitle, which is also the opposite order from how they were developed in the real world. But taking a present to the past approach does get the information across.<\/p>\n

At the front of the book, the author talks about what hidden systems are and how he learned about them by trying to draw them. Because so much is invisible, the metaphors we use to describe them are important. Here\u2019s a bit from that introduction, which has a small picture accompanying each line.<\/p>\n

A hidden system is something we don\u2019t notice
\nuntil it breaks.<\/p>\n

But when these systems are doing what they\u2019re supposed to,
\nthey become so commonplace
\nthat we hardly see them.<\/p>\n

Hidden systems are in the news all the time.
\nUsually when something dramatic happens.
\n(especially if something explodes)
\nBut by overlooking hidden systems the rest of the time,
\nwe take for granted the benefits they provide for some of us,
\nand disregard the harm they cause others.
\nThese systems structure our society,
\nand even when they\u2019re working,
\nare a source of inequality and environmental harm.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Something I appreciated about this look at the Internet, Electricity, and Water Systems is that he showed the big picture, too \u2013 how these things are physically hooked up and connected around the world.<\/p>\n

There was a lot I didn\u2019t know about each system: The importance of data centers for the internet, almost all the physical aspects of the electricity grid, and our frequent use of dams to run the water system.<\/p>\n

Okay, this summary doesn\u2019t do the book justice. Let me urge you to read it \u2013 and look at it \u2013 for yourself. (So much is communicated by the drawings!) The story of how humans have built these systems helps us think about what ways we could modify them to better work with our earth.<\/p>\n

As he finishes up (accompanied by pictures):<\/p>\n

We often just see the surface of our surroundings,
\nbut by understanding these systems more deeply,
\nwe can form our own questions about their past and future.
\nThe answers to these questions can help us not only fix these systems
\nbut also reimagine them \u2013
\ncreating a world that\u2019s more in balance with the Earth
\nand that provides equitably for all people.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

dannott.com<\/a>
\nRHKidsGraphic.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Teen_Nonfiction\/hidden_systems.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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