From the Archives: Asifa Majid on language and olfaction
When I first ran across Asifa Majid’s article with Ewelina Wnuk in Cognition, about how speakers of Maniq, a language indigenous to southern Thailand, have a vocabulary for…
Dog Movies Stars and Dog Breed Popularity: A Case Study in Media Influence on Choice
This paper has been widely covered by popular and scientific media. Here some examples: How much is that doggie from the movie?, The New York Times. The Lassie…
Nature, Nurture, and Mexicanidad: Tatiana’s Story II
Back in March, I started a DNA experiment with five friends. I invited each of them to take a genetic ‘ancestry’ test – something that most of them had barely heard…
An Anthropologist on Board
In a recent article in the Financial Times, the philosopher, Alain de Botton makes the case, in a rather fun and light-hearted way, that it is now time for corporate…
The Burning Man Experience w/ Ben Gebo – This Anthro Life
Episode 41, Season 4 Join Adam, Aneil, and Ryan with returning guest expert and commentator Ben Gebo as we dive into the rabbit hole of Burning Man. Ben…
Five DNA Tests, 100% Me, and Back to Square One
Back in March, I started a DNA experiment with five friends. I invited each of them to take a genetic ‘ancestry’ test – something that most of them had barely heard…
– Study the powerful to change the world!
– To achieve a more equitable world, we need to better understand how power works. It’s a pity that only few anthropologists study up, says Tijo Salverda, who…
From Alienation to Protection: Central American Child Migration – Heide Castañeda, Lauren Heidbrink, and Kristin Yarris
Heide Castañeda, Lauren Heidbrink, and Kristin Yarris During the summer of 2014, the eyes of the United States – indeed, the world – turned their gaze on the…
A Mainer’s Portrait of a Melting Pot: Kate’s Story II
Back in March, I started a DNA experiment with five friends. I invited each of them to take a genetic ‘ancestry’ test – something that most of them had barely heard…
The Killable Horde
The film World War Z includes several scenes in which soldiers kill large numbers of zombies; not surprisingly, the movie comes to an end with a graphic image that…
The Killable Horde
The film World War Z includes several scenes in which soldiers kill large numbers of zombies; not surprisingly, the movie comes to an end with a graphic image that…
Searching for Common Humanity in Dystopia: Evlondo’s Story II
Back in March, I started a DNA experiment with five friends. I invited each of them to take a genetic ‘ancestry’ test – something that most of them had barely heard…
Cultural Evolution at the Santa Fe Institute
Last May, Daniel Dennett gathered, at the Santa Fe Institute, a handful of people who have written about cultural evolution. The general impression was that (as he tweeted…
Inorganic life and ayahuasca plant spirits
As icons of the difference between nature and culture, there is arguably nothing more opposite than plant life and computers. Such is common sense and is based upon key…
Anthropologists expose the tension between profits and sustainability
When mining sites, shipyards and power plants are built in their neighborhoods, many locals feel they have no say in it. – When big money is involved, politics…
On the Limits of Curiosity: Rodrigo’s Story II
Back in March, I started a DNA experiment with five friends. I invited each of them to take a genetic ‘ancestry’ test – something that most of them had barely heard…
Teaching Cultural Anthropology (via a quote from Tim Ingold, Making, 2013:13)
Fall 2014, teaching Cultural Anthropology. The Hartwick College Anthropology format for teaching cultural anthropology is to begin with a four-fields Introduction to Anthropology, followed by mid-leve…
Back to School
Things have been quiet on the blog front recently. This has mainly been for practical reasons: I moved back to Paris from Washington DC at the beginning of the summer,…