Not moving things along: hoarding, clutter and other ambiguous matter

Disposition and disposal are intriguing terms for, while they share the same roots, disposition is not usually understood popularly as a synonym of disposal. However, all disposal involves disposition as a prelude to destruction, reuse, recycling or redistribution of some sort. Here, however, disposition is considered in another sense; the relocation of an object without the attendant continuation of the disposal process. In particular, the paper considers the phenomena of the domestic hoarding of goods. Hoarding will be considered in relation to both opportunities for disposition and other types of ambiguous stuff including clutter. Following this, hoarding as behaviour in relation to the spatial disordering of material culture will be examined. Finally, the material nature of the hoard itself will be addressed. It is concluded that hoarding is an ambiguous concept without clear agreement as to its causes, characteristics, scope or significance. Its affinities with other forms of collecting, storing and arranging matter also demand further attention. Finally, the paper calls for more empirical research as both adjunct and potential counterweight to its theoretical orientation.