Review by Frank Plowright
Electric Life is a literal title, and Sander Funnerman’s introduction explains a career in investigative journalism leading to many books. His expertise and insight is combined with a journalistic clarity in explaining the fundamental ways electricity is connected with all forms of life.
Funnerman begins with the relatively recent discovery about bees and pollination being far more dependent on electrical attraction than was previously known. Considering the relationship of bees and plants is so fundamental to the wellbeing of humanity, it’s a game changer. He follows that up with several more pages about bees establishing his book as one with fascinating possibilities. He then goes on to demonstrate how many other insects are attuned to the Earth’s magnetic fields, and makes you believe in the future by demonstrating how this research is being used to benefit humans.
Because recent 21st century research is central to Electric Life, casual readers who’ve paid little attention since their school text books are going to be amazed again and again by what’s revealed from the microbial level to the cosmos itself. Bacteria have been discovered to be electrically charged and can clean water up to ten times faster than other processing methods. Current research has it that without regular lightning strikes all life on Earth would fall ill. Trees can be wired into a circuit able to charge a car battery. Earth’s magnetic field is shaped like a fish with the head pointed toward the Sun. There’s so much more along these lines, barely a page without a revelation, meaning Electric Life is going to challenge your view of the world. The research has changed science, with new scientific studies emerging, such as Phytoneurology being the study of electrical transmissions generated by plants and tress when a sick person sits near them.
In the text there’s no indication whether artist Peter Brouwers follows his own inclinations in interpreting the complex ideas or if Funnerman has suggested illustrations. In fact Brouwers had considerable input, especially with regard to more abstract ideas, and the result is information that’s easily transmitted visually no matter how complicated the matter. Beyond the art looks attractive, brightly coloured, yet simple and imaginative.
As the text moves towards the human body there’s no let up in the wonder. Our bodies are at their most efficient with a slight negative charge, so as the planet is a giant negatively charged electromagnet we can top up just by walking barefoot through grass or via a wooden walking stick. Part of the reason fresh fruit and vegetables also benefit us is their negative charge. Recent research even suggests humans have better senses than animals and bioelectric therapies might be more efficient than other forms of healing.
Electric Life is mindbending stuff and required reading for anyone who wants to know more about the world around us.
