  We advocate for a theory of materials structure based on the general notion
of redundancy rather than its special case of symmetry. The recoverability of
particle positions from interparticle distances is given as an argument for why
distances rather than positions constitute the fundamental quantity underlying
structure. The rapidly decreasing nature of interaction strength with
interparticle distance is used to argue for the representability of a system
through the neighbourhoods of its constituent particles. The extracopularity
coefficient $E$ is presented as a local quantifier of redundancy and compared
to point group order $|G|$, a local quantifier of symmetry. A fundamental
limitation of $|G|$ is demonstrated. Some perspective is given on how $E$ can
be used to arrive at a global redundancy-based description of a system.
