"materially unattended"
...if the [theoretical] observation emboldens us to explore the world, cut it up in new and different ways, and learn what new and useful relationships can result, then the observation is of use and interest; but it is not interesting to the extent that it leads only to materially unattended theoretical restatements of itself. (Times Square Red, Times Square Blue, 192-3)
from Samuel R. Delany's book on Times Square, which I liked so much I might write it up later, here, though it is not on my lists. The book is great for an exploration of a once-thriving and mundanely utopian urban culture, as well as for its forceful argument about the (material, socio-economic, cultural, political) conditions necessary for cities to live up to their potential for human flourishing. Incidentally, all the labels for this post apply to the book—that in itself seems like a good advert.
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