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Preface to the First Edition
- University of Georgia Press
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xv Preface to the First Edition this book represents the meeting ground of two types of intellectual investigation. The first is a theoretical and philosophical exploration and critique of concepts as a means to interrogate more sharply the reality we live in. Thus the first two chapters are concerned with renovating the terribly archaic conception of nature that dominates Western thought. I began this aspect of the work in 1979. The second kind of investigation arose separately out of a fascination for North American cities. It seemed to me in the mid-1970s that urban spatial structure both defied all the traditional urban models, and yet had a very coherent if dynamic pattern. In a very superficial way at first, I was convinced that one could read much of the social structure of society from its inscription in urban geographical space. In particular, I was fascinated with the process of gentrification and began research on this topic. As the research continued, against a backdrop of greater familiarity with marxist theory and concepts, I became convinced that gentrification was itself the product of spatially more universal, if quite specific, forces operating at different scales: the general process was one of uneven development. As the research into spatial structure broadened into a theoretical investigation , the links with the more philosophical investigation became clear. Thus the third chapter on space links the more abstract work on nature with the theoretical investigation of uneven development pursued in chapters 4 and 5. The final product represents, I hope, less a philosophical investigation than a bridge from the philosophical interrogation of concepts to their application in pursuit of new theoretical vistas. For as Marx insisted, there can be no philosophy separate from practical science. It is certainly an attempt to get beyond philosophy. Intellectual wealth is achieved through the accumulation of debts. I only hope that in my case the wealth is equal to the debts. David Harvey has contributed more to this work than can be said in words and footnotes. He mixed encouragement and challenging criticisms with free dinners and friendship. He always believed in the importance of the project and responded with his unique mix of laissez-faire encouragement and active interventionism. His own work has inspired me since before I went to Baltimore, and continues to do so. He also read and criticized an earlier draft of the manuscript. But I would never have arrived in Baltimore if it had not been for Joe Doherty in St. Andrews, who first encouraged me to make philosophical speculation responsible to reality. He patiently and quietly insisted that I deal with the most troublesome issues, and without his sincere commitment I could never have envisioned the present work, even in ideal embryo. Once in Baltimore, Reds Wolman provided consistent support at a level I had no reason to expect, and although he did not always understand what I was trying to do, he trusted me to do it. In the early stages of the work, Nancy Gish was supportive in many ways but insisted that if I was going to write I may as well do so clearly. xvi Preface to the First Edition [44.193.208.105] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 11:41 GMT) In the later stages, many people have contributed but none more so than Kathy Ogren who would let me talk about my work and who offered the support of deep friendship. Others were stimulating colleagues and friends who, in different ways, tolerated my anti-social hours and tendencies , and talked with me anyway: Beatriz Nofal, Michele LeFaivre, Barri Brown, Phil O’Keefe, Barbara Koeppel, Donna Haraway, Jerry MacDonald, and Lydia Herman. Several people have assisted with parts of the typing in its various (usually rushed) stages: Karen Pekala, Jean Kelley, Katie Reininger, Peggy Newfield, and Liza Cluggish. If Leon unfailingly attacked the first draft in the wee hours, Peon gladly inherited this responsibility for the second draft. “All that is solid,” Marx once said, “melts into air.” This is true not only of the geography of capitalism; in a period such as this it is also true of the political struggles against exploitation and oppression. And so finally I want to acknowledge the inspiration provided by Cal and Barbara Winslow. With them, I look forward to the days when we will again have something solid. Neil Smith Preface to the First Edition xvii This page intentionally left blank [44.193.208.105] Project...