Flatland (1884), a satirical novella by Edwin Abbott, depicts a 2-dimensional world inhabited by geometric shapes. The narrator, a Square, discovers the existence of 3-dimensional Spaceland, as well as 1-dimensional Lineland and 0-dimensional Pointland. Upon sharing these revelations, he is imprisoned for treason by the authorities who enforce a rigid belief system and social hierarchy (e.g., women are straight lines, workmen are isosceles triangles, gentlemen are squares, nobles are circles).

It was in old days, with our learned men, an interesting and oft-investigated question, “What is the origin of light?” and the solution of it has been repeatedly attempted, with no other result than to crowd our lunatic asylums with the would-be solvers. (3)

Nature wills all Figures to have their sides equal. (22)

The toleration of Irregularity is incompatible with the safety of the State. (23)

The art of healing has achieved some of its most glorious triumphs in the compressions, extensions, trepannings, colligations, and other surgical or dietetic operations by which irregularity has been partly or wholly cured. (24)

Not being able to move or to see, save in his Straight Line, he had no conception of anything out of it. (45)

Death or imprisonment awaits the Apostle of the Gospel of Three Dimensions. (70)

It appears to you a Plane, because you are not accustomed to light and shade and perspective. (72)

Upward, and yet not Northward. (78)

I spoke not of a physical Dimension, but of a Thoughtland whence, in theory, a Figure could look down upon Flatland and see simultaneously the insides of all things. (84)

Prophets and inspired people are always considered by the majority to be mad. (85)

I exist in the hopes that these memoirs may stir up a race of rebels who shall refuse to be confined to limited Dimensionality. (87)

Sexism

The sexism in this book makes it hard to read. In the 2nd edition, Abbott writes, “It has been objected that [the Square] is a woman-hater.” Readers were vexed even in 1884. That being said, Flatland is a satire of the rigid class hierarchy, religious dogmatism, and gender inequality of Victorian society; so the sexism is there to make a point.

Imagination

Abbott’s use of words and pictures to create and populate imaginary worlds of varying dimensions is inspiring. I love this sketch of a Square’s home as seen from Spaceland.

And his portrayal of a 1D world where “no Linelander can ever pass another” and “marriages are consummated by means of the faculty of sound” makes me laugh.

Flatland is an incitation to imagination; and a reminder that all models are wrong.

As I work on Natural Information Architecture, I’m sharing notes and quotes from my sources of inspiration and provocation. As always, your questions and suggestions are welcome.