I think this is an important graphic novel that everyone should read at least once. This book serves as a reminder that while all these systems and infrastructures exist, we still participate with it and use them. 

Nott does a great job of showing the scale of the systems, a brief history of how they were formed, and how we live in them. He challenges the reader to look forward, to create better, to understand that the systems aren’t stagnant and won’t ever be, and that we have opportunities to advocate for what the next iteration looks like. 

I think this book would be difficult for those who see things as stagnant, want things to stay the same or revert to the past, and those who don’t want to be accountable for how our society functions and how it can negatively impact other people and ecosystems. 

Nott focuses on systems of electricity, communication (internet, etc) and water. He uses light blues and soft colors which help make the information palatable. It’s tough information to swallow- to see behind the curtain and recognize how our society is held together.

It’s worth it though. While it’s true that most of the pollution and solutions are outside of us, we can recognize and reduce our own part and look to participate less in systems that only benefit the wealthy. We can also advocate and be a part of creating what the future looks like. We are not bystanders. 

This book calls for a need to change while recognizing how difficult that change can be. It a book that’s curious and allows those curiosities to develop. 

This is a fantastic book.