Two recent news stories fit well with conversations we have been having in Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. 1) ‘The Science of Desire‘ describes the role of ethnographers in corporate research. Gist: [Ethnographers are] a species of anthropology who can, among other things, identify what’s missing in people’s lives — the perfect cell phone, home appliance, [...]
Congratulations to Charles Menzies (UBC Anthropology) and his collaborators on their forthcoming book Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Management (Nebraska Press). From the blurb: [The book] examines how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is taught and practiced today among Native communities. Of special interest is the complex relationship between indigenous ecological practices and other ways of [...]
I continue to enjoy the conversations that erupt in the Anthopology of Religion. Yesterday, as part of a lecture on mythology, the characteristics of myth, and what anthropologists do with myths, I addressed the topic of urban legends. I have found that questions of urban legends always comes up — and decided this time around [...]
On a day when my introduction to cultural anthropology class discussed cultural evolution, the New York Times ran a story about a ‘stone age’ tribe from the Colombian jungle. This group has, apparently, no concept of money or the future, but is interested in joining the ‘modern’ world. Language Log provides useful analysis of the [...]
I’m sure this article from PC Magazine is making the rounds through the blogosphere. It is a new account, however, of the use of ethnographic research techniques by Intel and other technology companies. Here’s what Intel says they do: Intel’s anthropological researchers immerse themselves in the “natural environments of real people” – including hospitals, elder [...]
For my anthropology of religion students … Yahoo News has published a story about Vodou and, particularly, the misconceptions about the religion that endure despite its recent recognition as the official religion of Haiti. (Via Anthropologist Community) Sphere: Related Content
I follow the use of ethnographic methods outside of anthropology with some interest, although without much real understanding of how its non-anthropological purveyors use it. Now, Grant McCracken at ‘This Blog Sits At …’ offers a lengthy and informative summary of the problems of corporate ethnography. The jist: … some clients are now treating ethnography [...]
From Bits and Bytes … Apparently email is outdated for many students who prefer the instant gratification of instant messaging. The information is based on a survey by Dell and Bell South (a phone company). Of note: Students told [the survey conductors] that email is still valuable–mainly for storing and transmitting documents and for communication [...]
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