What's the Use? On the Uses of Use

Sara Ahmed's What's the Use? examines the concept of use and its historical, social, and political implications. The book tracks how the word "use" appears in various contexts, from institutional policies to everyday language. Ahmed draws from institutional archives, feminist and queer theory, and personal experiences to analyze how use shapes bodies, spaces, and relationships. The investigation moves through universities, homes, and public spaces to reveal patterns in how usefulness determines value. Through case studies and theoretical analysis, Ahmed connects use to questions of diversity, inclusion, and institutional change. She engages with philosophers, scholars, and activists while developing new frameworks for understanding utility and function. The work contributes to contemporary discussions about power, normativity, and resistance by revealing how assumptions about use can both maintain and challenge existing systems. This scholarly examination offers perspectives on how institutional structures are built and maintained through everyday practices and language.

Readers praise Ahmed's analysis of how "use" shapes institutions and social structures. Many highlight her examination of the term's role in racism, sexism, and exclusion. Philosophy students note the book's accessibility despite complex concepts. Positive reviews focus on: - Clear examples from universities and everyday life - Fresh perspective on familiar objects and spaces - Connections between use and power/privilege Main criticisms: - Repetitive arguments and examples - Dense academic language in some sections - Limited practical solutions offered Ratings: Goodreads: 4.37/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Gives language to experiences I've had but couldn't articulate" - Goodreads reviewer "Makes you think differently about everyday objects" - Amazon reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Goodreads reviewer "Opens up new ways of thinking about institutional barriers" - Academic reviewer on personal blog

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🔍 Sara Ahmed resigned from her position at Goldsmiths, University of London in protest against the institution's failure to address sexual harassment, demonstrating how she puts her theories about institutional use and misuse into practice. 📚 The book explores how the word "use" appears in various contexts - from institutional mission statements to philosophical texts - and traces its evolution from the 13th century to present day. 🏳️‍🌈 Ahmed connects the concept of use to queer theory, examining how spaces and objects become "used" differently by marginalized bodies, creating what she calls "desire lines" that deviate from intended paths. 🔄 The research for this book began with Ahmed's collection of broken tools, showing how failure and breakdown can reveal important insights about systems and their uses. 🌿 The book includes an entire chapter on "use" in environmental contexts, exploring how terms like "natural resources" frame nature as something to be used rather than preserved or respected.