In the Midst of Things: The Social Lives of Objects in the Public Spaces of New York City

The book "In the Midst of Things" explores how ordinary urban objects influence our behavior, exacerbate inequality, and encourage social change. It reveals how our interactions with these objects are our primary point of contact with the social, political, and economic forces that shape city life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The influence of ordinary urban objects on our behavior, inequality, and social change is a complex and often overlooked aspect of urban life. In the book "In the Midst of Things," Mike Owen Benediktsson explores the social lives of five ordinary objects commonly found in public spaces in New York City and its suburbs. Through groundbreaking fieldwork and extensive interviews, Benediktsson reveals how our interactions with these material things are our primary point of contact with the social, political, and economic forces that shape city life.

One of the objects that Benediktsson examines is a newly built lawn on the Brooklyn waterfront. This lawn reflects an increasingly common trade-off between the marketplace and the public good, as developers prioritize commercial interests over the needs of the community. The lawn symbolizes the commodification of public spaces and the erosion of public trust in government institutions.

Another object that Benediktsson explores is a cement wall on a New Jersey highway. This wall speaks to the demise of the postwar American dream, as it symbolizes the divide between the rich and the poor and the lack of opportunities for upward mobility. The wall reflects the social and economic inequalities that are prevalent in many cities and the challenges that policymakers face in addressing these issues.

A metal folding chair on a patch of asphalt in Queens exposes the political obstacles to making the city livable. This chair symbolizes the struggles of marginalized communities to gain access to basic amenities and the lack of political will to address their needs. The chair reflects the political polarization and the lack of consensus on urban planning and development issues.

A subway door expresses the simmering conflict between the city and the desires of riders. This door symbolizes the tension between the needs of commuters and the demands of the transportation system. The door reflects the challenges that policymakers face in balancing the needs of different groups and the need to provide efficient and reliable transportation services.

A newsstand bears witness to our increasingly impoverished streetscapes. This newsstand symbolizes the decline of traditional media and the rise of digital media. The newsstand reflects the changing landscape of journalism and the challenges that news organizations face in adapting to the digital age. The newsstand also reflects the economic inequalities that are prevalent in many cities and the challenges that residents face in accessing quality information.

In conclusion, "In the Midst of Things" demonstrates how the material realm is one of immediacy, control, inequality, and unpredictability. These factors frustrate the ability of designers, planners, and regulators to shape human behavior. By examining the social lives of ordinary urban objects, Benediktsson sheds light on the complex relationships between people, place, and power and provides a critical analysis of the challenges that cities face in creating sustainable and equitable communities.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691174334