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208
Graphic Novel/Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
Unflattening by Nick Sousanis, the first comic-form dissertation at Columbia University, argues for visual thinking in education, using illustrations and narrative to critique traditional education's emphasis on efficiency over imagination. Sousanis employs metaphors from Edward A. Abbot’s Flatland to discuss the limitations of linear, language-based perspectives and the value of embracing multiple viewpoints to achieve a deeper understanding of reality.
Informative
Contemplative
Fantastical
Inspirational
Mysterious
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Nick Sousanis' Unflattening offers a groundbreaking blend of visual art and philosophical inquiry. Celebrated for its innovative use of the graphic novel format, the book challenges traditional perspectives on understanding and knowledge. Some critics note that the abstract narrative can be challenging to follow. Nonetheless, the work remains a praised contribution to both academic and artistic discussions.
A reader who would enjoy Unflattening by Nick Sousanis is likely engaged in interdisciplinary studies, visual arts, or philosophy. Similar to readers of Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics or Art Spiegelman's Maus, they appreciate the fusion of visual and textual narratives to probe complex ideas and challenge conventional perspectives.
2,962 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Edwin A. Abbot
A British professor and author recognized for his 1884 novel "Flatland," which introduces the concept of multiple dimensions and critiques narrow perceptions. His work serves as a key reference for exploring themes of dimensionality in Sousanis's text.
Leonardo da Vinci
An Italian Renaissance polymath whose works, including the Vitruvian Man and the Mona Lisa, appear in Sousanis's text as symbols of humanism, imagination, and perception. His artistic explorations inspire reflections on human proportions and continuous perception.
Perseus
A mythical Greek hero famous for defeating Medusa, represented in Sousanis's text as a figure of perception and agency. His ability to see beyond appearances embodies the quest for broader understanding and dimension in experience.
Scott McCloud
An American comic author and theorist known for "Understanding Comics," who influences Sousanis's views on the potential of comics in education. His ideas promote the integration of visual and verbal elements to create a dynamic reader experience.
René Descartes
A French philosopher known for Cartesian dualism, emphasizing the separation of mind and body and prioritizing rational thought. His representation in Sousanis's text critiques the limitation of understanding through words alone and highlights the underappreciated role of sight.
Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari
French postmodern theorists known for their concept of rhizomatic structure as a metaphor for multiplicity. Their ideas inform Sousanis's advocacy for a non-hierarchical approach to thought and perception, encouraging plural perspectives.
208
Graphic Novel/Book • Nonfiction
2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
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