Graphic Novel Review: Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott

Posted on July 16, 2024 at 6:38 am by Gene Ambaum

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott. RH Graphic, 2023. 9780593125366. 266pp.

I frequently listen to the 99% Invisible podcast, but that’s generally the extent of the information I get on infrastructure.

Nott’s amazing graphic novel pulled me in in a way few nonfiction comics have; I don’t think I’ve ever read this complete an explanation of the water cycle including the problems humans create, solve, and need to address. The chapters on the internet had me noting buildings in Seattle that I walk past without seeing, anonymous places full of servers and other tech that I don’t really understand (but should). Nott explores history to show how we’ve arrived at where we are now, shows us the way things work (there’s a quote on the cover from David Macaulay), and makes us aware of current and potential crises. In other hands this would be overwhelming, but Nott’s work invites further exploration of the topics he covers.

There’s a lot to love in this nonfiction graphic novel, but my favorite parts are the pages from Nott’s sketchbooks at the end; looking at them after reading the book gave me a glimpse of how his mind works. He also includes notes and a selected bibliography.