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Description
In the Midst of ThingsExplore the profound impact of everyday urban objects on our behavior and society with 'In the Midst of Things'. This compelling analysis uncovers how ordinary items in public spaces, from the vibrant Brooklyn waterfront's newly built lawn to the unyielding cement walls of New Jersey highways, reflect deep social narratives and inequalities. Mike Owen Benediktsson delves into the hidden assumptions that shape our interactions with these materials,
Explore the profound impact of everyday urban objects on our behavior and society with 'In the Midst of Things'. This compelling analysis uncovers how ordinary items in public spaces, from the vibrant Brooklyn waterfront's newly built lawn to the unyielding cement walls of New Jersey highways, reflect deep social narratives and inequalities. Mike Owen Benediktsson delves into the hidden assumptions that shape our interactions with these materials, revealing their crucial roles in shaping urban life and public consciousness. Through in-depth fieldwork and unique interviews, the book illustrates the interplay between the material world and social dynamics, highlighting how items like metal folding chairs in Queens and subway doors serve as windows into the challenges of urban living. Whether you’re interested in social change, urban planning, or the unrecognized layers of city life, this book offers a transformative perspective. Join Benediktsson as he brings to light the unseen influences that affect our everyday experiences in the bustling urban landscape. Condition: BRAND NEW | Format: Trade binding | Year: 2022 | Publisher: Princeton University Press.Shipping for this item is FREE, however please allow 6 weeks for shipping, please note once you place the order we are not able to cancel it.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691174334
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
How ordinary urban objects influence our behavior, exacerbate inequality, and encourage social changeAssumptions about human behavior lie hidden in plain sight all around us, programmed into the design and regulation of the material objects we encounter on a daily basis. In the Midst of Things takes an in-depth look at the social lives of five objects commonly found in the public spaces of New York City and its suburbs, revealing how our interactions with such material things are our primary point of contact with the social, political, and economic forces that shape city life.Drawing on groundbreaking fieldwork and a wealth of original interviews, Mike Owen Benediktsson shows how we are in the midst of things whose profound social role often goes overlooked. A newly built lawn on the Brooklyn waterfront reflects an increasingly common trade-off between the marketplace and the public good. A cement wall on a New Jersey highway speaks to the demise of the postwar American dream. A metal folding chair on a patch of asphalt in Queens exposes the political obstacles to making the city livable. A subway door expresses the simmering conflict between the city and the desires of riders, while a newsstand bears witness to our increasingly impoverished streetscapes.In the Midst of Things demonstrates how the material realm is one of immediacy, control, inequality, and unpredictability, and how these factors frustrate the ability of designers, planners, and regulators to shape human behavior.
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4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 30 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Attractive Comforter That Will Keep Hot Sleepers Cool
The Bedsmile striped cooling comforter ice blanket for hot sleepers is amazing. It's cool and comfortable thanks to its unique structure. If you're a hot sleeper, then this comforter is definitely the one for you.
This comforter gives you the comfort of a blanket, but manages to also keep you cool throughout the night. It's soft and it feels cold to the touch on one side and smooth and comforting on the other. This is because one side is made from nylon which feels cool because it's a synthetic, thermally conductive material that quickly draw heat away from your skin. My daughter is the lucky recipient of this comforter, and she loves it. It matches perfectly with the gray sheets and pillowcases she already has.
I have to admit I had my doubts when I first pulled it out of the package and saw it wasn't thick like a traditional comforter, but so far it has exceeded my expectations. The design is very attractive, gray with white stripes on one side, and a solid gray on the other. It is the solid gray side that is made of nylon for that cooling effect.
It’s lightweight without feeling flimsy, and it is well-stitched. This is a quality comforter made with top of the line material. It's Queen size and its measurements are true. The ad says it is "reversible" but the solid gray side is nylon and that is where you get the cooling benefits...plus, it looks so much better with the gray and white strips on top.
I'm really happy with this bedspread, it looks great, it is made with quality materials, it is soft and silky and it does keep you cool and comfortable at night. If you're looking for a good nights sleep, I highly recommend this comforter.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Quality design, materials, and stitching...with one annoying trait
There is a lot to love about this comforter.
First, as advertised, it works. I don't know how, but on a warm day in the house it feels great to cover yourself in it and to feel its "coolness."
The design is cool as well, but in a stylistic way. It's elegant and tasteful, and the colors went well with our mocha-colored walls. And the fabric color is neutral enough that it will go with a large range of colors.
The fabric has a high thread count, so it looks, feels, and is luxurious. Stitching is perfect.
Overall, the design and materials are superior...with one--for me, anyway--annoying characteristic: we couldn't keep the comforter on the bed. The backing material is so very smooth and shiny that the moment it was disturbed even in a slight way, this lovely blanket went instantly to the floor night after night, sliding down on that smoothness and shininess.
As a result we keep it kind of rolled/folded up in the middle of the bed during the day (which is a shame because the design is so nice), and we find ourselves frustrated at night when it invariably slides off the bed!
All told, this is an elegant, quality made comforter. I almost knocked a star off for its seeming inability to stay on the bed. But it looks so nice, is so well made, and actually works, that it deserves a 5-star rating. Just be ready to grab it quickly when it starts its quick slide to the floor in the middle of the night.
A good value. Recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Nice for cooling but not so cool with staying on the bed
Color: Black Pinstripe, Size: King(108"x90")
Definitely cooled while sleeping however due to the silky fabric it did not stay on the bed and often ended up on the floor by morning.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Pretty nice blanket
First off I have to say that this is not exactly a cooling blanket. It is true that when you first get under it, it does feel cool. Shortly thereafter though, wherever the blanket makes contact with you it warms up to your body temperature, so it doesn’t remain cool. Still, I just moved my foot to a different area and hit a cool pocket, so it has its moments. I have to say I really like the weight of this blanket. It’s so hard to find a good blanket, that is not that thick, It is thin, which is exactly what I was looking for since I live in Florida. One side of the blanket is the “cooling“ side which is plain gray, and on the other side is a gray and white striped pattern. I’m not really crazy about the pattern to be honest. I wish this blanket came in more colors or patterns. The blanket fit my queen bed nicely - not too big or too small. For what it is, I’m not really sure I would say it’s good value for the money, but I do like this blanket.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Surprisingly, effective cooling blanket
When I first saw this cooling blanket available, I grabbed one right away. I had purchased a cooling blanket for my grandfather last summer that was fantastic but very expensive, so I was curious whether this one would actually compare considering the price difference.
Right out of the package, I could immediately feel that it was different from a normal comforter. The fabric itself feels noticeably cool when you touch it, which honestly caught me off guard in a good way.
The gray version I have features a striped design on one side and a solid gray color on the reverse. I love that it isn’t just plain white like so many cooling blankets tend to be. The pattern adds some visual interest while still matching pretty much any bedroom setup.
The fabric is incredibly soft and smooth against the skin. The brand says it’s made with Ice Toweling technology fabric, which supposedly works by absorbing body heat through the fibers’ molecular structure. I’m not totally sure how that works scientifically, but I can definitely tell you the result is real because the blanket does feel cooler when you sleep under it.
Something else I appreciate is that despite being silky smooth, it doesn’t constantly slide off the bed. I was expecting it to behave like a satin sheet, but it actually stays in place surprisingly well and its true to size.
Cleaning is straightforward. They recommend air drying the blanket to preserve the cooling fibers, which seems like a reasonable precaution. I would probably treat it like a delicate fabric just to keep it in good shape long term.
All things considered, I’m really impressed with this blanket. It’s soft, comfortable, genuinely cooling, and a great value compared to some of the pricey alternatives out there. If you tend to overheat while sleeping, this is definitely worth considering.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2026