{"product_id":"for-a-pragmatics-of-the-useless-critical-of-thought-and-value","title":"For a Pragmatics of the Useless - Critical of Thought and Value","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of For a Pragmatics of the Useless Erin Manning, the book is recommended for readers interested in contemporary theory, race, and neurodiversity because it reframes usefulness as a temporal and political quality rather than an inherent trait. Manning's argument-that what is deemed useless now may hold unforeseeable future value, and that certain lives and practices are marginalized by normative standards-is presented with theoretical precision and provocative examples. This review highlights why the work matters to scholars and engaged readers seeking a fresh perspective on value, embodiment, and social norms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Manning foregrounds the concept that usefulness is contingent and temporal, offering readers a way to think about value beyond immediate utility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntersectional lens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book connects \u003cstrong\u003eBlack life\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eneurodiversity\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing how normative baselines of whiteness and neurotypicality exclude other modes of being.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConceptual vocabulary:\u003c\/strong\u003e Terms like the infrathin, proprioceptive tactility, and the artful give concrete language to otherwise elusive experiential registers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCultural critique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Manning examines standards of value and how they shape what is recognized as effective or useful in social and artistic contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvocative reframing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book treats excess potential as a reason for marginalization, prompting readers to reassess how they measure significance over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well suited to graduate students, academics, and engaged readers in cultural studies, philosophy, and social theory who want to interrogate categories of value, embodiment, and difference. Those studying race, disability, or contemporary art theory will find Manning's cross-cutting analysis especially relevant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a practical handbook, a step-by-step policy guide, or light popular non-fiction should look elsewhere; this is sustained critical theory that rewards careful reading rather than quick takeaways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a novel framework for understanding usefulness that challenges conventional metrics of value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrings attention to \u003cstrong\u003eproprioceptive tactility\u003c\/strong\u003e and subtle embodied registers often overlooked in political theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePowerfully links discussions of race and neurodiversity to critique normative baselines, enriching conversations on inclusion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe dense theoretical style may be challenging for readers unfamiliar with contemporary critical theory terminology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFor a Pragmatics of the Useless (Thought in the Act)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eErin Manning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultural \u0026amp; ethnic studies; social sciences; politics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUsefulness, neurodiversity, Black life, embodiment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical and critical analysis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, students, and engaged readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a Pragmatics of the Useless is a rigorous, conceptually rich book that reorients how readers think about value and marginality. It is worth buying for anyone committed to deepening their understanding of race, neurodiversity, and the politics of usefulness, though its demanding style suits academic or sustained reading contexts more than casual browsing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book theoretical or practical?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a theoretical work focused on concepts and critique rather than practical steps or policy recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book discuss race and disability?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; central threads of the book link Black life with neurodiversity and examine how norms exclude both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits most from reading it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGraduate students, scholars in cultural studies, and readers interested in critical theory and embodiment will get the most from the book.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erin Manning","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48247908171995,"sku":"1478010029","price":106.51,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91rpc0WARsL._SL1500.jpg?v=1771059621","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/for-a-pragmatics-of-the-useless-critical-of-thought-and-value","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}