Not to Scale: How the Small Becomes Large, the Large Becomes Unthinkable, and the Unthinkable Becomes Possible

by Jamer Hunt

From research to practical application, Not To Scale explores an influential theory in an accessible way.
The dictionary defines "scale" as a range of numbers, used as a system to measure or compare things. We use this concept in every aspect of our lives-it is essential to innovation, helps us weigh options, and shapes our understanding of the impact of our actions.

In Not to Scale, Jamer Hunt investigates the complications of scale in the digital age, highlighting an interesting paradox: We now have a world of information at our fingertips, yet ironically the more informed we have become, the more overwhelmed we feel. The global effects of our daily choices (Paper or plastic? Own or lease? Shop local or buy online?) remain difficult for us to comprehend, and solutions to large-scale national and international issues feel inconceivable.

Hunt explains how these challenges are intimately tied to a new logic of scale and provides readers with survival skills for the twenty-first century. By taking massive problems and shrinking them down to size, we can use scale to effect positive change and adapt to the modern era. Connecting our smallest decisions to the grand scheme of things, Not to Scale is a fascinating and empowering guide to comprehending and navigating the high stakes often obscured from our view.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design

272 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Corina Murafa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first quarter of the book or so is rather weird, with a fancy exposee into the history of scale and measurement (and I still think it’s uncalled for). But then the reading gets more interesting, as the author presents his method of scalar framing. The examples he uses (of both the movie in the 60s and of cycling) are telling and a very clear application of a method that we can all apply to train our creativity and lateral thinking. The method of scaffolding also seems interesting, but I’d have appreciated more examples of how to apply it practically (some design principles), not just the one on Linux.

[Adi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult read, it is quite unclear what problems the author tries to bring to light, or to solve. The structure is overly complex to the point that it has no beginning or end. Dissapointing.

[Cristina Balan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Donella Meadows, the choreographer of the systems thinking, you simply have to read this book. You will understand how to fine tune the concepts, how to scale or unscale them, why some solutions work and other will never lead to any change.

[Clivemichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, rather cerebral, some entertaining examples.

[Irika Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would highly recommend to everyone but a must read for most designers. This book highlights design and system thinking with examples, our relationship to other organisms, materiality and problems.

[Gregory Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

eh

This book starts strong and then becomes convoluted, messy in its approach and does not provide any real conclusions that are actionable in any way.

[Dhea Sekararum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes: Design, systems-thinking, scalability, community

I read the book because my school program's founder wrote it. He's such an intelligent, caring educator (and person), so I'm curious about what he wrote. I wished I knew about this book when I was still working in tech, maybe I would have had approached my work differently (or maybe not). But I really think people who work in tech need to read this book. It's also a must-read for designers. Because we often talk about the scalability of an idea or a solution, but we didn't realize that once something lives in a different scale of environment, it's no longer what it was before, it becomes something else entirely.

What I like about the book is that it gives examples from different fields, from city planning and community intervention programs to art installations, to show how an initiative could evolve into something else once brought into a different scale. I learned a lot about the emergent properties of design and design as facilitation rather than offering solutions to problems. The book's first part might feel a bit "out there" because it brought us to this exposition on the history of measurement and some analogy using butterfly metamorphosis (but I like this part).