Leslie Ritten

Material Culture

Dr. Mark Janzen

February 29, 2024

Book Review: Material Culture: Why Some Things Matter by Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller’s book Material Culture: Why Some Things Matter is comprised of a

collection of ten essays written by nine ethnographers, including Miller, which focus on

contemporary material culture studies. The book is divided into three sections which focus on

material culture in the private sphere, public domain and when the public and private areas

connect. Miller introduces the essays and framework for the book in a lengthy and descriptive

introduction which enables the reader to create a mental outline. The essays focus on consumers’

behaviors in England, France, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Trinidad and the Philippines.

Ultimately, Miller encourages the reader to use the information set forth, “as a highly effective

means to enquire into the fundamental questions of what it is to be human within the diversity of

culture.”1

The first three chapters which explore different facets of the private sphere covered the

relationship individuals have with the radio, how people use their outdoor spaces in England and

France and the methods in which daily household goods are purchased. The one chapter which

was the most compelling was the relationship people have with their radio by Jo Tacchi. She

writes, “radio sound is experienced as a part of the material culture of the home, and that it

1
Daniel Miller, Material Cultures: Why Some Things Matter (London: Routledge, 2003), 20.
contributes greatly to the creation of domestic environments.”2 Many people including myself

overlook sound because it is not tangible and it is challenging to quantify except for measuring

decibels or basic content. The radio surprisingly is a large part of people’s domestic lives. She

described how some people kept it on to combat loneliness, others listened to programs that

made them feel connected to their culture, while another listener was passionate about music

from a specific time and enjoyed connecting with other listeners at the station site. This was a

wonderful essay to begin the series.

Section II is comprised of three essays that concentrate on the relationship between the

public domain and material culture through three different vehicles. The first essay explored

paper usage in the workplace, while the second essay concentrated on the Orange Orders use of

banners in ceremonies in Northern Ireland. The final essay which was the most interesting

explored how calypso music lyrics have the power to influence social processes in Trinidad. The

author discussed how the lyrics are made up of double entendres to inspire a coup against the

government. In addition, the lyrics were used for advertising purposes. The saying “Whoa

Donkey” which is often heard on the island came from a song and ended up being the electric

company slogan for paying bills in a timely manner.

The final section of the book concentrated on when the public and private spheres come

together to form a global approach of how to analyze certain aspects of material culture. Daniel

Miller’s essay focused on the meta symbol of Coca Cola and the debate concerning the

materiality of culture. He shared how Coke came to Trinidad in 1939 and the history of how it

gained popularity and eventually the drink rum and Coke became a “national” drink even when

2
Jo Tacchi, “Radio Texture: Between Self and Others,” in Material Cultures: Why Some Things Matter, ed. Daniel Miller
(London: Routledge, 2003), 27.
another type of cola was used. This essay far surpassed the other two in this section which

focused on gift exchange in Estonia and women’s cosmological practices in the Philippines.

Material Culture: Why Some Things Matter by Daniel Miller is a great book for

individuals who are interested in how material culture has evolved from examining ancient

artifacts to interpreting how and why things matter over the past two centuries. Many of the

essays which presented findings from case studies can be used as tools for interpreting material

culture today and in the future. The essays are thoughtfully selected and support the ideas Miller

outlines in the introduction.

 Bibliography

Miller, Daniel. Material Cultures: Why Some Things Matter. London: Routledge, 2003.