This work investigates the mechanisms by which society assigns, maintains, and destroys value through the lens of catastrophe theory. Michael Thompson, an anthropologist and social theorist, utilizes mathematical models from the natural sciences to explain the transition of objects and ideas between states of transient and durable value. By mapping these shifts, the author provides a framework for understanding why certain items are discarded as rubbish while others are preserved as heritage.

Scholars frequently cite this text as a foundational interdisciplinary study that bridges the gap between hard science models and social theory. Readers often note the dense, academic nature of the prose, which requires careful attention to grasp the underlying mathematical metaphors.