Customer Reviews

Indexed

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Venn diagrams are used in set theory to show all of the possible mathematical or logical relationships between sets or groups of things. The diagrams usually consist of overlapping circles. Consider a simple example of a set of all red objects and a set of all apples. One circle represents everything that is red; the second circle represents all apples; and the area that is common to both circles represents all red apples.

John Venn, a British logician and philosopher, created Venn diagrams in the 1800s, and they are used today in set theory, probability, logic, statistics, and computer science. Jessica Hagy has raised the Venn diagram to an entirely new level. She comments on culture through what she calls her "mildly snarky" diagrams.

"I think I learned Venn diagrams in seventh or eighth grade. I hadn't used them a lot before I started doing this. You sort of file them away like the capitals of all the states."

Hagy works in the advertising industry and has done extensive research on American consumer culture. She finds unusual connections: Jesus and Elvis, for example. Rice Krispies and arthritis. Rich old women and pimps.

Sometimes it takes a bit of time for her admirers to discover the connection, even with the help of Hagy's diagrams. But when the "A-Ha!" moment comes, you feel happy and just a little proud of your cleverness.

She's created 1,400 or so of her diagrams on index cards, and posted over 600 on her blog and elsewhere. Almost 100 appear in this book. You may find the diagrams weird; Hagy expects that: "I think everyone brings their own weirdness to it. They interpret in their own way."

Hagy maintains an excellent blog and has contributed to "The New York Times" blog on 'Freakonomics'. This book is a great introduction to her work.

Robert C. Ross 2008

This is a great little idea -- key word little. It does not stretch to fill a whole book. Moderately entertaining, a few thought-provoking ideas. In my opinion, not worth this many pages.

Jessica Hagy's book, "Indexed," offers some unique, interesting...and often entertaining...insights into the world at large through the mediums of simple charts. The relationships Hagy points out in this book are insightful and often surprising.

While this book provides interesting and thought-provoking reading, it is light on content. The pages are not numbered and it took me approximately ten minutes to read the entire book.

Despite the book's brevity, it is worth a read. The question that potential purchasers should ask..and answer...is if the book is worth the price. The author offers content through a website (http://indexed.blogspot.com/), but I am not sure of the overlap of the web site's content and the content of the book.

In the final analysis, Hagy offers interesting perspectives on many facets of life through a basic medium...her content is worth consuming. This book may not be the best (or most economical) way to peruse her content, though.

Jessica has certainly tapped into something unique here - her insights are smart, thought-provoking, and most importantly: really funny.

I've been following Jessica Hagy through her blog for over a year now and I was incredibly excited when her book came out. This is a collection of some of her published notecards as well as a few which were never published. This is definitely a collection of some of her best, that will make you laugh and make you think.

If there was anything that I wish, it would be that there are more note cards. The book is for too short with most cards that I'd already seen. I'd definitely recommend it for someone who hasn't read her postcards before, or is simply interested in have a few random ones around.

I help companies sell more. Specifically, I help companies sell technical products. In this effort I speak to groups all over the country. I find that good visuals make a good presentation. I purchased "Indexed" to open my mind to better visuals.

This book can be used one of two ways. First, it is a funny and quick "read" (and I use this term loosely because there are very few words - it is visual). Secondly, this book can be reviewed often to stimulate visual representations for your own ideas....

It's not for everybody, but it works for me.

Frank Hurtte
River Heights Consulting

Ideal for those who tie their organizational sense to index cards, and/or who have a cynical appreciation for how to lie with statistics, and/or who do a lot of charting, graphing or sentence diagramming and have a sense of humor about it.

The book is candy, not science; and once gone through its role as amusing diversion is over and it's ready to be passed on to someone else.

Wow, this is a real original. Check out her website for daily updates. Jessica Hagy is a funny lady. If you were ever put off by venn diagrams, graphs, and charts, think again. A unique expression that provides valuable commentary and unique insights.

Thought-provoking and entertaining; definitely fun to re-read. Most jokes I got right away, some took some puzzling over. This was definitely worth the sale price.

No, this little book doesn't have the answers to life questions. But it is funny, insightful, and I might even say thought-provoking. Would make a great little gift.